Sunday, 12 August 2012

Halloween Costume Characters

By Paul Schirud


Halloween is a fun filled time of the year. Not just for small children but for men and women also. After all, who doesn't love getting decked out as his or her favorite ghoul, goblin, superhero, or bad guy, and go out trick-or-treating or to a Halloween celebration. Halloween is an event celebrated world wide and in almost every nation as there are seasonal and faith based connections that are popular. It has been around for almost 500 years.

There is some conjecture over the origin of Halloween(not the name) but the occasion. A number of historians link it to the Roman feast of Pomona, who was the goddess of fruits and seeds. Others believe it started as Parentalia, the "festival of the dead". It is nonetheless, more often associated with the Celtic festival known as Samhain, a Gaelic occurrence that honors the end of summer.

Of course the name "Halloween" is more commonly linked to the Scottish version of "All-Hallows-Eve", or, the night prior to All-Hallows-Day or All Saints day. It originated in 1556, and through the ages All-Hallows-Eve became Halloween. Halloween is October 31st, and is recognized worldwide, however not all cultures celebrate on this date. Some nations around the world celebrate on the 2nd Tuesday in December.

Halloween has a great deal of symbolism and imagery that has changed through the years and several civilizations and movements have contributed to it. Most notably are the Jack-o'-lantern, Dracula, ghosts, death, evil, and dark scary themes. Black and orange are Halloween's official colors. Halloween has spawned a whole industry of costume manufacturers and every year the latest trend of popular movies and characters contributes to offerings. There's also several activities that have become customs of Halloween. Trick-or-treating is among the most preferred. Kids around the globe dress up and go house to house in their neighborhoods amassing candy and sweets. There are Halloween functions, prank playing, games which include bobbing for apples, and attending haunted houses & graveyards.

Favorite foods at Halloween are candy or caramel apples, candy corn, popcorn, apple cider, and baked pumpkin seeds. Several other cultures have traditional foods they prepare for instance Ireland's barmbrack which is a fruit bread.

Halloween represents the season of the harvest and the end of summer. Fall or Autumn in the northern hemisphere is when the weather turns cool and cultures harvest their crops in preparation of winter. Many people assert it is their favorite season citing cooler weather, back to school, the beginning of the American Football season, and many other reasons. All in all it is a great time and remains an important part of the calendar year.




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