The History of Halloween

The word “Halloween” is derived from( 得到 ) All Hallows Eve, which occurs on November 1. It is an important date on the calendar, a time to observe and honor saints. People believed that the souls of the dead come back to the earth to visit their families or friends. People began to call November 1st as a holy(神圣的 ) or hallowed( 神圣的 ) day. It was to be called as Hallows Day, and was later shortened to what we know today as Halloween.

Trick Or Treat The custom of trick or treat is believed to have originated with a ninth-century European custom called “souling”. On All Souls Day (November 2), early Christians used to walk from village to village, begging for “soul cakes”. These cakes were made of square pieces of bread with currants(葡萄干 ). The more soul cakes the beggars would receive, the more prayers they would promise to say on behalf(利益 ) of the dead relatives of the donors(捐赠人 ). At the time, it was believed that the dead remained in limbo(地狱边缘 ) after death. People thought that prayers could help hasten(加快 ) a soul's passage to heaven.

Trick Or Treat Rhythm

Deal out, Deal out,The witches are out! Trick or treat, you're so neat.Give me something good to eat.Nuts and candy, fruit and gum.I'll go away if you give me some. Trick or treat, smell my feet.I know you'll give us lots of treats.Not too big, not too small,Maybe the size of Montreal.

Jack O'Lantern An Irish tale tells us where the origins of the name Jack O’Lantern came from. Once there was a man named Jack who liked to play tricks on( 捉弄 ) people.He lived a long, mischievous(淘气的 ) life. One day he tricked Satan into climbing a tree. Jack then carved( 刻 ) the image of a Holy Cross ( 十字架 ) on the trunk of the tree. This trapped the Devil up the tree. Jack made a deal with the Devil that: he would let the Devil down the tree, if the Devil promised to never tempt him again.

Jack O'Lantern

After Jack died, he was not permitted into Heaven because of his evil(邪恶的 ) ways. He was also denied access to(有权使用 ) Hell because he had tricked the Devil. The devil gave him a single ember (灰烬 )to light his way through the freezing blackness. This flame was put inside a hollowed-out(挖空的 ) turnip(大头菜 ) to keep it glowing.

Jack O'Lantern As Jack walked his never-ending journey as punishment for his trickery, he carried a burning coal( 木炭 ) inside the turnip to help him see along the roads everywhere he traveled. Soon he was known as "Jack of the lantern" or Jack O'Lantern. In Ireland, turnips were used as their Jack‘s lanterns originally. However, immigrants( 移民 ) to America found pumpkins(南瓜 ) more plentiful than turnips. The Jack-O’Lantern in America was a hollowed-out pumpkin, lit with an ember.

Halloween Superstitions( 迷信)

Black Cats In America some people believed in the magical powers of black cats. Certain bones on the cat has the power to make wishes come true, or even to make one invisible. In Europe, the black cats had nasty(险恶的 ) connections with witches. It was considered to be a bad luck if it crosses your path while walking or crosses the threshold (门槛 ) of your home.

White Cats The White Cat in England, at Halloween, is thought to be unlucky.

Halloween Superstitions

Blue Cats In Russia the blue cat is said to bring good luck.

Owls(猫头鹰 ) Many people used to believe that owls swooped( 俯冲 ) down to eat the souls of the dying. If they heard an owl hooting( 鸣叫 ), they would become frightened. A common remedy( 补救 ) was thought to be turning your pockets inside out and you would be safe.

Halloween Superstitions

No Talking at the dinner table “The Dumb(哑的 ) Supper” was brought to America by the Africans. The is an eerie(怪诞的 ) Hallowmas meal , where nobody is allowed to speak, not even whisper. It encourages spirits to come to the table.

Husband Finding If a girl puts a sprig(小树枝 ) of rosemary herb and a silver sixpence(六便士银币 )under her pillow on Halloween night, she will see her future husband in a dream.

Halloween recipes( 食谱 )

FUNNY FACE COOKIES

GHOST COOKIES

Halloween recipes

COOKIE TREE WEB COOKIES

BROOMCOOKIES

SPIDERCAKE

E Y E B A L L S

That Is All Thank You!!