Halloween: Children dress up as monsters, pumpkin-lanterns are displayed in store windows

It seems that Halloween has become fashionable in Christian Greece as well. What kind of “holiday” is this, why do children dress up in something scary, and what role do sweets play?

Halloween is celebrated tonight, the night of October 31st. At first, it was elevated to the status of a holiday abroad (in the northern countries), since it was necessary to somehow “stir up” people, to get a reason to have fun amid a series of long, stormy autumn nights.

The kids dress up as monsters, take pumpkins and go from house to house, collecting candy with the question “trick or treat.” Halloween – “All Saints’ Day” generally honors not only saints, but also people’s deceased ancestors.

Halloween is an evolution of pagan holidays, likely descended from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhaim. For the Celts this day marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter, at the same time the change of season was a “bridge” between the world of the living and the world of the dead.

Pumpkin is a symbol of the holiday. The predominant color is orange, pumpkins are turned into pies, cakes and soups, and the empty shell is turned into a lantern by placing a smoldering coal (as our ancestors did) or a small candle.

On the day of Halloween, people play pranks, light bonfires, watch themed horror films or visit haunted attractions. For some people, Halloween has religious significance. Among other things, some participate in liturgies and light candles on the graves of their relatives.

Over the centuries, the holiday first acquired a Christian flavor, and then turned from a pagan rite into a masquerade day with cheerful processions and treats for children and adults. The word comes from All-hallow-even, and means the eve of All Hallows Day.

Once again this year too, Google dedicated its front page to Halloween.

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