20.2.12

Jessica Rabbit This Halloween

By Paul Schirud


Halloween is definitely a thrilling time of year. Not only for youngsters but for men and women also. After all, what person doesn't love getting dressed up as his or her favorite ghoul, goblin, superhero, or bad guy, and go out trick-or-treating or to a Halloween get together. Halloween is an event recognized world wide and in nearly every nation as there are seasonal and faith based connections that are widespread. It has been around for almost 500 years.

There is some speculation around the origin of Halloween(not the name) but the occasion. A number of historians link it to the Roman feast of Pomona, who was the goddess of fruits and seeds. Others believe it started as Parentalia, the "festival of the dead". It is nonetheless, more often linked to the Celtic festival referred to as Samhain, a Gaelic event which honors the end of summer.

Of course the name "Halloween" is more commonly associated with the Scottish variation of "All-Hallows-Eve", or, the evening preceding All-Hallows-Day or All Saints day. It originated in 1556, and through the generations All-Hallows-Eve grew to become Halloween. Halloween is October 31st, and is celebrated globally, though not all cultures celebrate on this date. Some countries celebrate on the second Tuesday in December.

Halloween has a lot of symbolism and imagery that has developed over time and lots of civilizations and movements have contributed to it. Most notably are the Jack-o'-lantern, Dracula, ghosts, death, evil, and dark scary themes. Black and orange are Halloween's official colors. Halloween has spawned a whole industry of costume manufacturers and each year the latest trend of popular movies and characters contributes to offerings. There's also several activities that have become traditions of Halloween. Trick-or-treating is probably the most preferred. Kids nationwide dress up and go house to house within their neighborhoods accumulating candy and treats. There are Halloween parties, prank playing, games which include bobbing for apples, and attending haunted houses & graveyards.

Favorite foods at Halloween are candy or caramel apples, candy corn, popcorn, apple cider, and baked pumpkin seeds. Many other cultures have traditional foods they prepare for instance Ireland's barmbrack that is a fruit bread.

Halloween represents the season of the harvest and the end of summer. Fall or Autumn in the northern hemisphere is when the weather turns cool and cultures harvest their crops in preparation of winter. Many people assert it is their favorite season citing cooler weather, back to school, the beginning of the American Football season, and many other reasons. All in all it is a great time and remains an important part of the calendar year.




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