Halloween traditions around the world
A family tradition in the United States
Halloween was originally a Celtic festival with its own set of folklore that symbolized the disappearance of the border between the world of the dead and the world: the festival of Samhain.
Over the years, these traditions evolved and in the 19th century, the Celtic festival of Samhain migrated to the United States with the Scots and Irish fleeing the Great Famine and became the Halloween festival we know today with our pumpkin much easier to carve than the turnip of the original legend.
Halloween retains many of the Celtic traditions, especially in Celtic countries and in North America (USA/Canada), for our enjoyment!
Halloween in the U.S. is celebrated with the family by dressing up (contests for the best costumes are not uncommon) and going door to door to ask for candy (the famous candy corn in the candy bags).
There is no shortage of activities : pumpkin carving, festivals, haunted houses, home decorating and preparing dinner for the family.
Being in the U.S. during Halloween is the perfect way to get into the spirit of this 3,000-year-old holiday and enjoy the unique atmosphere.
A family tradition in the United States
Halloween was originally a Celtic festival with its own set of folklore that symbolized the disappearance of the border between the world of the dead and the world: the festival of Samhain.
Over the years, these traditions evolved and in the 19th century, the Celtic festival of Samhain migrated to the United States with the Scots and Irish fleeing the Great Famine and became the Halloween festival we know today with our pumpkin much easier to carve than the turnip of the original legend.
Halloween retains many of the Celtic traditions, especially in Celtic countries and in North America (USA/Canada), for our enjoyment!
Halloween in the U.S. is celebrated with the family by dressing up (contests for the best costumes are not uncommon) and going door to door to ask for candy (the famous candy corn in the candy bags).
There is no shortage of activities : pumpkin carving, festivals, haunted houses, home decorating and preparing dinner for the family.
Being in the U.S. during Halloween is the perfect way to get into the spirit of this 3,000-year-old holiday and enjoy the unique atmosphere.
Orgnissanti in Italy
Let's stay in Europe for a second destination with the feast of the Ognissanti. Although also of religious origin, the feast of the Saints remains Catholic above all. In fact, it is traditionally celebrated with a mass in the cemeteries of Italian cities. As the name suggests, it is the day when Christians pay homage and honor all the saints.
The Feast of the Saints was once used to honor the memory of martyrs in some churches. It was not until 1457 that it was generalized and made obligatory in all churches by Pope Sixtus IV and in 1949 All Saints' Day was officially recognized as an Italian feast by the Constitution.
While the feast of Samhain takes place during the night of October 31 to November 1, All Saints' Day takes place only on November 1. Some of the Anglo-Saxon traditions have spread to Italy, bringing with them the famous "Trick or Treat" and, of course, the popular costumes.
Orgnissanti in Italy
Let's stay in Europe for a second destination with the feast of the Ognissanti. Although also of religious origin, the feast of the Saints remains Catholic above all. In fact, it is traditionally celebrated with a mass in the cemeteries of Italian cities. As the name suggests, it is the day when Christians pay homage and honor all the saints.
The Feast of the Saints was once used to honor the memory of martyrs in some churches. It was not until 1457 that it was generalized and made obligatory in all churches by Pope Sixtus IV and in 1949 All Saints' Day was officially recognized as an Italian feast by the Constitution.
While the feast of Samhain takes place during the night of October 31 to November 1, All Saints' Day takes place only on November 1. Some of the Anglo-Saxon traditions have spread to Italy, bringing with them the famous "Trick or Treat" and, of course, the popular costumes.
Dia de los muertos in Mexico
Does Dia de los Muertos ring a bell ? This traditional holiday is not lacking in representation in our current entertainment, whether it is books, movies or music. So where do these traditions come from and how do Mexicans celebrate Dia de los Muertos nowadays?
If for the feast of Samhain the night of October 31 to November 1 is about evil spirits haunting the living, it is quite different in Mexico. The theme remains the same but the atmosphere is radically different. Seeing the dead again represents such a joy and happiness that one must welcome them with open arms. The colors are everywhere: clothes, streets, houses, lights... Not to mention the festivities that include dancing, singing, long and delicious meals.
Why such a joyful aspect for a theme so sad in many other cultures? Because more than 3,000 years ago, the Aztecs already had their own vision of the cycle of life and that death meant the beginning of a long journey to eternal peace. The family would bring offerings to help the deceased on his journey to heaven. This tradition has lasted through the years and continues to this day.
Dia de los Muertos remains a world famous festival for its unique festivities and is now declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. An exceptional and magical experience from which you will surely emerge changed!
Dia de los muertos in Mexico
Does Dia de los Muertos ring a bell ? This traditional holiday is not lacking in representation in our current entertainment, whether it is books, movies or music. So where do these traditions come from and how do Mexicans celebrate Dia de los Muertos nowadays?
If for the feast of Samhain the night of October 31 to November 1 is about evil spirits haunting the living, it is quite different in Mexico. The theme remains the same but the atmosphere is radically different. Seeing the dead again represents such a joy and happiness that one must welcome them with open arms. The colors are everywhere: clothes, streets, houses, lights... Not to mention the festivities that include dancing, singing, long and delicious meals.
Why such a joyful aspect for a theme so sad in many other cultures? Because more than 3,000 years ago, the Aztecs already had their own vision of the cycle of life and that death meant the beginning of a long journey to eternal peace. The family would bring offerings to help the deceased on his journey to heaven. This tradition has lasted through the years and continues to this day.
Dia de los Muertos remains a world famous festival for its unique festivities and is now declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. An exceptional and magical experience from which you will surely emerge changed!
In Japan, we dress up
The Japanese culture does not really include Halloween in its traditions like the other countries mentioned above. This event does not have its origins in the archipelago. However, with the export of the American culture, Halloween has been able to establish itself in Japan... with a few differences!
This is not about dead people or knocking on every door in the neighborhood (Japanese people are far too polite to dare disturb other people). Pumpkins, skulls and other Halloween emblems can be found everywhere in the shops of big cities, but it is mostly about the commercial side of Halloween.
In Japan, the undisputed country of cosplay, people dress up! The first costume parade was organized in the streets of the Harajuku district of Tokyo at the end of the 20th century, known for its avant-gardism.
In the last few years, parades are organized in Japanese metropolises (notably the famous Shibuya parade in Tokyo), but they are mostly events reserved to adults and not to children. The disguises you can find are not necessarily scary, it is mostly about having the most beautiful disguise (that some people even make themselves). This can be a Jack-O'-Lantern or a character from anime or video game!
The land of the rising sun is definitely a good destination if you want to show off your creativity or your talents as a dressmaker!
In Japan, we dress up
The Japanese culture does not really include Halloween in its traditions like the other countries mentioned above. This event does not have its origins in the archipelago. However, with the export of the American culture, Halloween has been able to establish itself in Japan... with a few differences!
This is not about dead people or knocking on every door in the neighborhood (Japanese people are far too polite to dare disturb other people). Pumpkins, skulls and other Halloween emblems can be found everywhere in the shops of big cities, but it is mostly about the commercial side of Halloween.
In Japan, the undisputed country of cosplay, people dress up! The first costume parade was organized in the streets of the Harajuku district of Tokyo at the end of the 20th century, known for its avant-gardism.
In the last few years, parades are organized in Japanese metropolises (notably the famous Shibuya parade in Tokyo), but they are mostly events reserved to adults and not to children. The disguises you can find are not necessarily scary, it is mostly about having the most beautiful disguise (that some people even make themselves). This can be a Jack-O'-Lantern or a character from anime or video game!
The land of the rising sun is definitely a good destination if you want to show off your creativity or your talents as a dressmaker!
A family tradition in the United States
Halloween was originally a Celtic festival with its own set of folklore that symbolized the disappearance of the border between the world of the dead and the world: the festival of Samhain.
Over the years, these traditions evolved and in the 19th century, the Celtic festival of Samhain migrated to the United States with the Scots and Irish fleeing the Great Famine and became the Halloween festival we know today with our pumpkin much easier to carve than the turnip of the original legend.
Halloween retains many of the Celtic traditions, especially in Celtic countries and in North America (USA/Canada), for our enjoyment!
Halloween in the U.S. is celebrated with the family by dressing up (contests for the best costumes are not uncommon) and going door to door to ask for candy (the famous candy corn in the candy bags).
There is no shortage of activities : pumpkin carving, festivals, haunted houses, home decorating and preparing dinner for the family.
Being in the U.S. during Halloween is the perfect way to get into the spirit of this 3,000-year-old holiday and enjoy the unique atmosphere.
Orgnissanti in Italy
Let's stay in Europe for a second destination with the feast of the Ognissanti. Although also of religious origin, the feast of the Saints remains Catholic above all. In fact, it is traditionally celebrated with a mass in the cemeteries of Italian cities. As the name suggests, it is the day when Christians pay homage and honor all the saints.
The Feast of the Saints was once used to honor the memory of martyrs in some churches. It was not until 1457 that it was generalized and made obligatory in all churches by Pope Sixtus IV and in 1949 All Saints' Day was officially recognized as an Italian feast by the Constitution.
While the feast of Samhain takes place during the night of October 31 to November 1, All Saints' Day takes place only on November 1. Some of the Anglo-Saxon traditions have spread to Italy, bringing with them the famous "Trick or Treat" and, of course, the popular costumes.
Dia de los muertos in Mexico
Does Dia de los Muertos ring a bell ? This traditional holiday is not lacking in representation in our current entertainment, whether it is books, movies or music. So where do these traditions come from and how do Mexicans celebrate Dia de los Muertos nowadays?
If for the feast of Samhain the night of October 31 to November 1 is about evil spirits haunting the living, it is quite different in Mexico. The theme remains the same but the atmosphere is radically different. Seeing the dead again represents such a joy and happiness that one must welcome them with open arms. The colors are everywhere: clothes, streets, houses, lights... Not to mention the festivities that include dancing, singing, long and delicious meals.
Why such a joyful aspect for a theme so sad in many other cultures? Because more than 3,000 years ago, the Aztecs already had their own vision of the cycle of life and that death meant the beginning of a long journey to eternal peace. The family would bring offerings to help the deceased on his journey to heaven. This tradition has lasted through the years and continues to this day.
Dia de los Muertos remains a world famous festival for its unique festivities and is now declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. An exceptional and magical experience from which you will surely emerge changed!
In Japan, we dress up
The Japanese culture does not really include Halloween in its traditions like the other countries mentioned above. This event does not have its origins in the archipelago. However, with the export of the American culture, Halloween has been able to establish itself in Japan... with a few differences!
This is not about dead people or knocking on every door in the neighborhood (Japanese people are far too polite to dare disturb other people). Pumpkins, skulls and other Halloween emblems can be found everywhere in the shops of big cities, but it is mostly about the commercial side of Halloween.
In Japan, the undisputed country of cosplay, people dress up! The first costume parade was organized in the streets of the Harajuku district of Tokyo at the end of the 20th century, known for its avant-gardism.
In the last few years, parades are organized in Japanese metropolises (notably the famous Shibuya parade in Tokyo), but they are mostly events reserved to adults and not to children. The disguises you can find are not necessarily scary, it is mostly about having the most beautiful disguise (that some people even make themselves). This can be a Jack-O'-Lantern or a character from anime or video game!
The land of the rising sun is definitely a good destination if you want to show off your creativity or your talents as a dressmaker!
