In this article we will tell you about the popular Halloween holiday, whose traditions are rooted in the distant past.
Samhain
Celtic tribes who lived in Europe more than two thousand years ago divided the year into two parts - winter and summer. When they finished harvesting, and it was at the end of November, it was time to celebrate the end of the summer season. On Samhain, the Druids made bonfires to ward off the inhabitants of the other world from human settlements. On this day, the housewives cooked refreshments for their ancestors and left it on the doorsteps of their homes. Men put on animal skins to scare away evil spirits from the village. Adults and children gathered around the fire, made sacrifices, and then took sacred fire to warm their homes with them.
Halloween story
This terrible and mysterious holiday over time has turned into a frivolous and cheerful Halloween. This happened after Christianity firmly took up positions around the world, and the Catholic Church began an active struggle against the remnants of paganism. The easiest way to do this was to replace traditional festivities with official Christian ones. So All Hallows Even (Mass of All Saints) turned into Hallowe'en, and then into Halloween. On the eve of All Saints Day, the Irish and some other nations continued to honor the old traditions, but gradually forgot what they actually symbolize. When the inhabitants of the Old World began an active relocation to the American continent, they brought with them their holidays. So Halloween took root in the USA and Canada, and then gained immense popularity there. At the end of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st century, the tradition of celebrating the eve of All Saints Day returned to Europe, and at the same time spread to Russia and Asian countries.
Who is Jack?
The most famous symbol of this holiday is a pumpkin, which was first gutted, and then a terrible grinning face was cut out on it. Halloween, the traditions of which originate in ancient Samhain, did not always go the way we used to see it. Once upon a time, Europeans carved lanterns from turnips and rutabaga, put candles in them and put unusual lamps outside the doors of houses to scare away evil spirits on a terrible day. Later, a legend appeared about the Irish Jack, the famous drunkard and scoundrel. It was he who circled Satan himself several times around the finger, than angered the unclean. When the time came to die, Jack refused to let go into paradise. The owner of the underworld also did not want to see the cheerful Irishman in his possessions and drove him out. Since then, the unfortunate is forced to wander along the roads until Judgment Day, lighting his way with a piece of devilish coal. In the 19th century, a tradition appeared in the USA to cut Jack lanterns from pumpkins, since this vegetable crop was very common. And in our time, the orange color has even become a symbol of the holiday, and decorations in the form of pumpkins can be seen everywhere in the fall.
Halloween and popular culture
Since the tradition of celebrating All Saints Day has returned to Europe, the film industry has been overwhelmed by a huge shaft of Halloween-related projects. So, from the 80s of the last century, many horror films were shot, the main characters of which met during the festive night with maniacs and killers. A series of comedic films for family viewing were released, where children fight the ancient evil and, as a result, celebrate victory over it. The producers of such popular animated series as The Simpsons or South Park could not leave aside the popular theme. Therefore, almost every season included a series in which supernatural events took place, the main characters turned into zombies and were involved in amazing adventures. The atmosphere of Halloween was surprisingly accurately conveyed in Tim Burton's full-length animated film "The Nightmare Before Christmas." In the music business, the theme of the ominous holiday also did not go unnoticed. As an example, we can cite the work of the German band Helloween and the parody of the Italian metal band Trick or Treat.
Halloween hallmarks
This fun holiday is easy to learn from others by the following signs:
- The rooms inside and outside are decorated in bright orange and black, everywhere you can see symbols of autumn, such as village scarecrows and pumpkin lamps.
- Adults and children dress up in the costumes of popular heroes of horror films. For example, girls love to pretend to be witches in pointed hats, and boys prefer to appear in the form of a mummy or a ghost.
- The main themes of this holiday are occultism, evil in all its manifestations, monsters and monsters of all stripes.
It is for this fun pastime that children and adults love Halloween so much. The traditions of this holiday we will describe in detail below.
Costumes
This element of holiday action, beloved by all, appeared not so long ago - at the beginning of the 20th century. At first, the children put on only masks, but they looked pretty creepy in them. However, over a hundred years the costumes have evolved, acquired bright colors and helped turn the celebration into a real show. Modern American children dress up not only in monster costumes, but also with pleasure try on the role of pop culture stars. You can also meet girls dressed as princesses, queens or magic fairies. Let's take a closer look at the most popular carnival images:
- Halloween vampire - This costume includes trousers, a white shirt and a long black cloak with a red lining. The owner of such an image necessarily complements it with inserted fangs, which he is happy to show to everyone. The Halloween vampire is not only elegantly dressed, but also has a stylish hairstyle and makes up his face in pale colors.
- Witch - This lady usually puts on a wide skirt, high striped knee-high socks and a pointed hat. A shaggy wig, bright makeup and accessories such as a broom and a witch's cauldron will complement the image. In the latter, by the way, it is very convenient to fold the presented candies.
- The maniac doctor is the simplest, and therefore very popular costume. For him, it’s enough to take a white coat and hat, and then pour red paint on the clothes abundantly. The toy ax in his hands and a stethoscope on his neck will complement the image.
Halloween Grimm
The right suit will allow you to stand out from the crowd, and correctly applied makeup will make you a party star.
- Halloween zombie face - to do this makeup you will need not only regular cosmetics, but also face painting. The essence of the image is that white is applied to one half of the face, shadows are drawn to emphasize the cheekbone, and a colored lens is inserted into the eye, which visually increases the iris. Bright and effective make-up is applied to the second half of the face, highlighting the eyes and lips.
- Vampire - this Halloween makeup at home is easiest to do. For him you will need a set of regular cosmetics, red paint, burgundy lipstick and false fangs. Highlight the eyes and cheekbones with shadows, paint your lips, and under them draw drops of blood. Put on your fangs and stick on long eyelashes.
- Zipper face - Halloween make-up can be very intimidating. To do this, you just need to glue an open flesh-colored zipper on your face, and paint your nose and chin with a red paint that imitates the color of blood.
- Halloween doll face - this image can be created thanks to correctly applied makeup. So, you should apply a uniform pale tone on the forehead, cheeks, lips and eyebrows, and then draw new unnatural facial features with bright makeup. False eyelashes glued to the upper and lower eyelids complete the image.
Everyone can do Halloween makeup at home, but better practice doing it beforehand. In this case, at the crucial moment you will be sure that you will be at your best. Do not forget to come up with original Halloween hairstyles, as they will help you make your image complete.
Party Menu
Properly prepared Halloween dishes can scare even the most persistent of your guests. Simple snacks are placed on the table in the form of chopped limbs, torn teeth and eyes, as well as depicting insects, spiders and worms. We offer you several recipes for simple dishes that will decorate the most terrifying party:
- String the grapes of the same size onto a wooden skewer so that the whole structure resembles a caterpillar. Make peppercorns or dried cloves for her, and then put the fruit kebabs on a plate and place it on the table.
- Witch's fingers are one of the most popular Halloween treats. To start, prepare shortcrust pastry according to your favorite recipe and peel almonds or peanuts. Melt some chocolate in a water bath. Blind the dough pieces resembling long fingers, press the half of the nut into the place of the nail, and then use a brush to draw thin strips of chocolate on the folds with chocolate. Bake cookies until cooked.
- Ghosts - Decorate the finished cupcakes with whipped cream, and then portray the eyes and mouth with melted chocolate.
Entertainment
A cultural program must be carefully designed so that guests can remember the Halloween party for a long time. The traditions of this holiday involve not only dances and receptions, but also more active activities. For example, play the famous game "Sweetness or Muck" by walking around the neighbors and demanding candy from them. You can also play with the thematic “Mafia”, arrange a costume contest and prepare creative numbers.
Party Room Decoration
Where is Halloween best marked? Someone prefers to attend events organized by clubs and various organizations, but we recommend that you take this important matter into your own hands. To do this, you need to prepare an entertainment program, call guests, prepare a festive buffet reception and dress up in a fancy dress. However, the picture will not be complete if you do not arrange the venue in the right style. To do this, use the following ideas:
- Inflate the white balls, draw large eyes on them, and then hang them on the ceiling, having previously thrown a white transparent fabric. Lovely ghosts are ready.
- Get a couple of dozen tennis balls in the nearest sports store, and in the creativity shop buy the same number of toy eyes. Combine these objects and decorate your interior with scary peepers.
- Pumpkin is an indispensable symbol of Halloween, so cut out lanterns and masks from it.
- Cut out bats from the black cardboard, and cover the candles with red paraffin so that the smudges resemble trickles of blood.
Halloween in Russia
In our country, the tradition of celebrating All Saints Day is not as popular as in the West. However, many shops, clubs, shopping centers decorate their premises in ominous black and orange tones. Also, this festival is loved by schoolchildren who are happy to prepare scary costumes and treats. Not surprisingly, Halloween for teens provides an opportunity for self-expression. Older youth prefers to celebrate a holiday in clubs or to organize themed parties. Thus, Halloween in Russia has just begun to gain popularity, however, many of our compatriots have already become its furious fans.