万圣节的英文由来 篇一

The Origin of Halloween

Halloween, also known as All Hallows' Eve, is a holiday celebrated on October 31st each year. It originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. The Celts believed that on the night of October 31st, the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred, and spirits would roam the earth.

The name "Halloween" is derived from the Old English word "hālga" meaning "saint" or "holy" and "ēfen" meaning "evening" or "eve." It was the evening before All Hallows' Day, also known as All Saints' Day, which was a day to honor saints and martyrs. Over time, the name "All Hallows' Eve" was shortened to "Halloween."

The tradition of wearing costumes on Halloween can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The Celts believed that wearing costumes would confuse and ward off the spirits. They would dress up in animal skins and masks to disguise themselves. This tradition continued and evolved over time, with people dressing up as various characters such as ghosts, witches, vampires, and superheroes.

Another Halloween tradition that originated from the Celtic festival is the carving of pumpkins. The Celts would carve turnips and place a candle inside to ward off evil spirits. When the tradition was brought to America by Irish immigrants, they discovered that pumpkins were more readily available and easier to carve. Thus, the tradition of carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns was born.

Trick-or-treating, where children go from house to house asking for candy, also has its roots in ancient Celtic customs. During Samhain, people would leave out food and treats to appease the roaming spirits. As Christianity spread and merged with pagan traditions, this practice evolved into children going door-to-door and receiving treats in exchange for not playing tricks on the homeowners.

In conclusion, the English name "Halloween" is derived from the Old English words for "saint" and "evening," as it was the evening before All Hallows' Day. The traditions of wearing costumes, carving pumpkins, and trick-or-treating originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. Over the years, Halloween has evolved into a holiday filled with fun, festivities, and spooky traditions.

万圣节的英文由来 篇二

The Etymology of Halloween

Halloween, the widely celebrated holiday on October 31st, has an interesting etymology that dates back centuries. The English name "Halloween" is derived from the Scottish variant of All Hallows' Eve, which refers to the evening before All Hallows' Day, also known as All Saints' Day. But how did the term "Hallow" come to be associated with this day?

The word "Hallow" can be traced back to the Old English word "hālig," meaning "holy" or "saintly." It was used to refer to saints and the holy ones. Over time, "Hallow" became the verb "to hallow," which meant to make something holy or to honor something as sacred. The association of this word with All Hallows' Eve and eventually Halloween can be attributed to the Christian tradition of honoring saints and martyrs on All Saints' Day.

The Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season, is believed to be the precursor to Halloween. The Celts celebrated Samhain on the night of October 31st, believing that the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred and spirits would roam the earth. They would leave out food and treats to appease these spirits.

As the influence of Christianity spread, the church incorporated pagan traditions into its own celebrations. All Saints' Day was established in the 7th century by Pope Boniface IV to honor saints and martyrs. The evening before became known as All Hallows' Eve, and it was believed that the souls of the dead would return to visit their homes on this night. People would leave out food and light candles to guide the souls of their loved ones.

Over time, the customs and traditions associated with Samhain and All Hallows' Eve merged, creating the holiday we now know as Halloween. The practice of wearing costumes and masks to ward off evil spirits can be traced back to the Celtic festival, while the carving of turnips and later pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns evolved from the tradition of placing candles in hollowed-out vegetables.

In conclusion, the English name "Halloween" is derived from the Scottish variant of All Hallows' Eve, which refers to the evening before All Hallows' Day. The term "Hallow" has its roots in the Old English word for "holy" or "saintly." The holiday itself is a blend of Celtic traditions and Christian customs, resulting in a unique celebration filled with costumes, jack-o'-lanterns, and spooky festivities.

万圣节的英文由来 篇三

万圣节的英文由来

编辑：小静&z