Halloween is here again! In this mysterious and fun-filled festival, have you ever wondered why you dress up as a ghost and go door-to-door asking for candies? In fact, these customs are full of ancient legends and profound cultural significance. Take a journey through time and uncover the secrets behind Halloween!
The origin of pretending to be a ghost: It turned out to be an exorcism method to scare away the dead souls
Every year on October 31st, many people dress up as various ghosts and ghosts and take to the streets to create a mysterious "Ghost Festival" atmosphere. This custom actually originated from Celtic culture 2,000 years ago. At that time, the Celts regarded the end of October as the beginning of the new year and called it "Samhain". They believed that the boundaries between life and death were blurred at this time and the souls of the dead would return to the world. Therefore, they dress themselves up in scary looks, hoping to scare away ghosts and ghosts to protect their own safety. This fun and scary costume custom has been passed down from generation to generation and has become today's Halloween culture.
Going door-to-door asking for candy: The true meaning of trick-or-treating
The phrase "Trick or treat!" has become almost synonymous with Halloween, but the story behind it actually comes from British and Irish traditions. In ancient times, people would receive bread and soul cakes symbolizing good luck from their neighbors in exchange for praying for the deceased. This was the prototype of trick-or-treating. In modern times, children dress up as ghosts and go to neighbors' houses to ask for candy. When they shout "trick or treat", this game not only brings endless joy, but also continues the ancient ritual of praying for peace. 
"Trick or treat" is a classic Halloween activity. Children dress up as ghosts and knock on neighbors' doors, shouting "trick or treat". It originated in Europe and the United States(Photo/Provided by Heho)
In Scotland, children also sing the children's song "The sky is blue, the grass is green, may we have our Halloween." This is Make the process of begging for sweets more childlike.
The Birth of the Jack-O-Lantern: From Rutabagas to Pumpkins, the Legend of Will-O-Lanterns Continues to This Day
The jack-o'-lantern is the most iconic symbol of Halloween, but did you know that? The earliest jack-o'-lanterns were actually made from kohlrabi! According to legend, a man named Jack trapped Satan in a tree in exchange for a promise that he would not go to hell after death. However, his soul could neither go to heaven nor hell, and could only wander in darkness forever. Satan gave Jack a lantern made from a hollowed-out kohlrabi in the hope that he would be able to find his way in the darkness. This is the origin of "Jack-o'-Lantern". With Irish immigrants to the United States, this custom gradually evolved into using pumpkins that were easier to carve to make lanterns, and became the jack-o'-lantern we are familiar with today.
Halloween celebrations are very different in different countries: a look at cultural customs
Halloween is celebrated in various ways around the world, each with its own characteristics.
In Mexico, Halloween has become the "Day of the Dead". People dress up in costumes on November 1st and 2nd, gather with their families to build altars, and place sugar skulls, marigolds and the deceased's favorite foods at the cemetery to pray for blessings. and commemorating the dead, scenes that were both joyful and touching.
In Canada, in addition to Halloween, Canada also has a "Pumpkin Festival", but this festival is closer to the meaning of Thanksgiving. The real Halloween is called the "Ghost Festival" in Canada, where children ask for candy from their neighbors and adults dress up as scary characters, making it a lively event.
Halloween in the UK is even more chilling, as they recreate historical execution scenes to create a creepy atmosphere. The large-scale Halloween event held in Yorkshire attracts tens of thousands of people, making it one of the largest ghost festival celebrations in the UK.
The UK adds to the Halloween atmosphere by recreating execution sites and organizing events. Yorkshire attracts tens of thousands of people, and London hosts the country's largest Halloween party(Photo/Provided by Heho)
In France, Halloween is different from other countries and is closer to the Qingming Festival in Chinese society. On this day, people will go to the cemetery and offer chrysanthemums to mourn their deceased relatives, creating a solemn and warm atmosphere.
Make Ghost Festival more interesting: celebrate with the whole family
No matter how many historical legends Halloween has, for modern people, it is a festival full of joy and creativity. This weekend at the end of October, bring the children to dress up as their favorite characters, get out of the house, interact with friends and neighbors, and enjoy the fun of begging for candy. You might as well make some pumpkin lanterns by yourself to fill your home with a Halloween atmosphere and create an unforgettable Halloween night for your children.
