How to celebrate Halloween: holiday history, traditions and celebration ideas

The very word "holiday" evokes pleasant sensations: an idle, empty day, simply speaking, free from work. We know a lot of such celebrations. Many happy to celebrate. Each holiday has its own history and traditions, some have appeared in our lives only recently or, at least, we are accustomed to think so. Today it will be about this.

Date of celebration and history of occurrence

So, what is a Halloween holiday? When do they celebrate it? Halloween has its roots in the distant past. For more than two thousand years, humanity has celebrated it. Most of the holidays of our ancestors were associated with nature, the sun and the change of seasons played a huge role in human life. It is commonly believed that the festival itself and traditions, as Halloween celebrated, were presented to mankind by the ancient Celts, who celebrated the end of the harvest on October 31. And on the night of November 1 - the transition from light to dark, the ruler for this period was the god Samhain, patron of the dead and the master of the other world.

In order to appease a powerful god, various rituals and sacrifices were conducted, the priests kindled a sacred fire, the flame of which was intended to protect the tribe before the onset of light times. People sorted the coals from the fire to their houses and lit their hearths from them - now he protected the family and the house from misfortune. It was believed that in the witching night, spirits come from the world of the dead into our world and can harm those who live now. In order to avoid such misfortune, all the doors and windows of the dwelling were closed, people put on terrible clothes and painted their faces, and on the doorstep of the house, as delicacies from spirits and other evil spirits left delicacies.

In Russia

When do they celebrate Halloween in Russia? The ancient Slavs had their own holiday, quite similar to Halloween, it was called Velesov's Night. It was celebrated on the night of October 31 to November 1, as, in fact, is celebrated to this day. Just like the Celts, the ancient Slavs celebrated the transition from light time to dark, but unlike Samhain, who until the spring took the sun god Mac Olla into captivity, the Slavic Belobog simply passed Kolo of the year, in modern terms, power for the winter period The year of Chernobog.

Distinction

Another difference is the attitude towards the spirits: the Slavs did not lock the doors, but, on the contrary, invited spirits of deceased relatives to visit their home. They cooked for them a treat and asked for help to the family. And in order for the evil spirits not to make their way along with the good in the dwelling, the fire from the sacred fire was lit, around which the round dances were conducted, sang and danced. Jumping through the fire and walking around the coals had to be cleaned of defilement, and the round dance symbolized the movement of the sun and the hope for its early return. The holiday was very cheerful, and, of course, no one locked in the houses, therefore, how to celebrate Halloween, everyone can choose himself.

Current Traditions

The modern traditions of celebrating Halloween are a mixture of a pagan holiday, the Christian Day of All Saints and folk art in the form of a legend about the Mean Jack, who is also called Jack-lantern (he was tricked three times by the devil). Thanks to his tricks, he took from the owner of hell the word that he would not take him, but, since he was not a sly devil, Jack did not go to heaven either. And now he walks between paradise and hell with a candle in his hands, and so that it does not fade, hides it in a carved pumpkin. Over time, the pumpkin, carved like a funny face, with a burning candle inside became a symbol of celebration, so many do not imagine how to celebrate Halloween without such a vivid attribute. Today Jack-lantern is the main hero of the holiday, and terrible clothes for scare off the perfume turned into carnival costumes. Sacrificial treats now look like goodies, which children dressed in costumes for Halloween, with pleasure get from adults after the ultimatum requirement: "Sweets or life."

Celebrate at home

How to celebrate Halloween at home? As already mentioned above, now Halloween is more like a masquerade with characters (sorcerers, witches, vampires, angels and demons), peculiar to this holiday. Therefore, a party with friends dressed in the costumes of such heroes, will turn out to be very fun, for example, the owners of the house can invite guests to a covet with drinking a magical potion from a huge cauldron. Punch is very suitable as a witch's stew, and funny contests will quite go down for witchcraft rituals.

Many daredevils, reflecting on how to celebrate Halloween at home, recall the scenes from Bulgakov's work. After that they organize a real ball, the master of which is Messer Woland himself. Children no less than adults enjoy this old and somewhat strange holiday. The characters from the Addams family, their habits and the design of the house will be an excellent scenario for the children's Halloween party. The main thing - do not forget about the Jack-lantern, carving of pumpkins of faces at kids is a special delight.

Celebrating fun in Moscow

Where to celebrate Halloween in Moscow? Various clubs, cafes and bars are invited to the party. They promise an unforgettable program and fun. Everyone tries to cause delight and scare at the same time: the eerie, colorful scenery and the theater of the absurd completely immerse the visitors in a world of chaos, horror and mysticism, to become a part of which is always interesting, especially if the costume matches. The dark world will gladly accept its inhabitants, and a free drink will be a bonus. Therefore, before you ask yourself where to celebrate Halloween in Moscow, get a suit - and the cordiality of supernatural forces is assured.

Merry "evil spirits" are always happy to accept:

• A network of bars and nightclubs ShishasBar;
• Cafe "The sea inside";
• The club Space Moscow ;
• Club Tuning Hall;
• Club "Theater";
• Club Moscow";
• Club "16 tons";
• Club Rooklyn;
• "Glav-Club";
• "KazanBar";
• «Veritas Club».

Conclusion

Centuries passed, the sacral component of the holiday was gone. Panic horror before the winter was replaced by the expectation of New Year's festivities and adventures, and the fear of evil spirits transformed into a fancy dress, the festive traditions changed, and the question "How to celebrate Halloween?" Now there is only one answer: "It's fun!"