The historical background and meaning of Halloween

Halloween, also known as Halloween, is celebrated annually on October 31. It has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, a festival that marks the end of summer and the beginning of winter. Samhain is the Celtic New Year, a day when it is believed that the world boundaries between the living and the dead are blurred and the spirits of the dead return to earth. To protect themselves from the undead, people light bonfires and wear various fancy costumes to ward off evil spirits.

Over time, Halloween gradually evolved and incorporated into Christian culture. In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III of the Roman Catholic Church designated November 1 as Halloween to commemorate all the saints and martyrs, and the celebration of All Saints' Eve became popular. The day later evolved into Halloween as we know it today, filled with drag dressing, trick-or-treating, jack-o'-lanterns, and scary decorations.

The meaning of Halloween

1. **Exorcism and Protection**: One of the core meanings of Halloween is to drive away evil spirits and protect family members. Ancient people believed that wearing terrifying costumes and masks could scare away ghosts and evil spirits, a symbolic act against the unknown and death.

2. Reflection and remembrance: Halloween also provides an opportunity to reflect on life and death. While modern Halloween is full of joy and entertainment, its origins are closely linked to death and the afterlife. This day is a reminder of the transience of life and inspires remembrance of deceased loved ones and the cherishing of life.

3. Carnival & Release: Modern Halloween is more of a carnival festival. By dressing up as their favorite characters, people are freed from the shackles of everyday life, releasing stress and enjoying freedom. This dress-up and revelry is actually a brief break and remedy of the everyday order.

4. **Cultural Inheritance and Integration**: Halloween embodies the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures, from ancient rituals in Europe to today's global carnivals, and it shows how traditional festivals can be passed on and evolved into new forms in an ever-changing society. This tradition continues through activities such as decorating jack-o-lanterns and playing trick-or-treating.

Halloween is not only a long-awaited makeup festival for children, it is also a continuation of an ancient culture, containing reverence and reflection on nature, life, and death. In modern society, this festival continues to carry people's ridicule and challenge of fear, love and celebration of life.