The Origin of the name Halloween

All Hallow's Eve

The form "Halloween" derives from Hallowe'en, an old contraction, still retained in Scotland , of "All Hallow's Eve," so called as it is the day before the Catholic All Saints holy day, which used to be called "All Hallows," derived from All Hallowed Souls.

Hallow Eve

In Ireland , the name was Hallow Eve and this name is still used by some older people. Halloween was formerly also sometimes called All Saints' Eve.

The holiday was a day of religious festivities in various northern European pagan traditions, until it was appropriated by Christian missionaries (along with Christmas and Easter, two other traditional northern European pagan holidays) and given a Christian reinterpretation.

Day of the Dead

Halloween is also known as the Day of the Dead, and it is a day of celebration for Wiccans and other modern pagan traditions, though the holiday has lost its religious connotations among the populace at large.

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ObonHalloweens Festivals & Celebrations in Japan, China & Corea 

 

In Japan

In Japan, the 'Obon Festival', (also called Matsuri or Urabon) is dedicated to the spirits of ancestors, for whom special foods are prepared. Bright red lanterns are hung everywhere. Lit candles are placed into lanterns and floated on rivers and seas. During the 'Obon' period a fire is made every night in order to show the ancestors where their families are. One of the two main occasions during the year when the dead are believed to return to their birthplaces. Memorial stones are cleaned and community dances performed. This festival, however, occurs during July or August.

In China

In China, worshipers in Buddhist temples make 'boats of the law' ( fa-ch'uan) out of paper, some very large, which are then burned in the evening. The purpose of the celebration is twofold: to remember the dead and to free and let ascend to heaven the 'pretas'. The 'pretas' are the spirits of those who died as a result of an accident or a drowning and as a consequence were never buried; their presence among men is thought to be dangerous. Under the guidance of Buddhist temples, societies are formed to carry out ceremonies for the pretas--lanterns are lit, monks are invited to recite sacred verses, and offerings of fruit are presented.

In Korea

In Korea, the festival is called 'Chusok'. Families take this time to thank their ancestors for the fruits of their labor. The family pays respect to ancestors by visiting their tombs and offering them rice and fruits. This festival occurs in August.
 

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