Every year on “All Hallows Eve,” better known as “Halloween,” people dress up in costumes, trick-or-treat, watch scary movies, and have parties. This tradition originated in Ireland, as the Celtic Irish once thought that on October 31 the spirits of the dead could re-enter the bodies of the living. In turn, the living would dress up in ghoulish costumes to scare the spirits away. In the 1840′s the Irish brought the tradition to America, and we have celebrated it here ever since. Other countries celebrate Halloween too, and not all the same.

In Austria, families will leave bread and a lighted candle or lamp on the kitchen table before heading to bed. They once believed that the bread and light would welcome souls back from the dead on this eve which is known to be stirring with spirits.

In China they celebrate the Halloween festival which they call, Teng Chieh. Novelties, such as food and water are placed in front of the pictures of deceased relatives. Lanterns are then lit to guide the spirits home on Halloween night. This ceremony has two purposes, the first being to remember the dead, and the second is to help the dead ascend to heaven if they haven’t already done so.

In Ireland, the birthplace of Halloween, they still celebrate this holiday strongly. In more rural areas, bonfires are lit just as they were during the time of the Celts. Children then trick-or-treat around their neighborhoods.

In Japan, they have a holiday celebration similar to Halloween which is known as the Obon Festival. They celebrate the spirits of deceased relatives by preparing special foods and decorating with beautiful red lanterns that are lit and set to float in the rivers.

In Spanish speaking countries such as Mexico, Latin America, and Spain, Halloween is known as “El Dia de los Muertos,” or “the day of the dead.” The holiday is three days of happiness where families remember loved ones who have died. The festivities begin on October 31, when the spirits of the deceased are said to return to their homes. Many decorate their houses with alters of flowers and pictures to commemorate their loved ones.

Posted in Halloween

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