英语文化：万圣女巫与大南瓜

英语自学网

　　Hallowe'en is a popular festival in many countries all over the world, and
every year it seems to get bigger.
       
       
                　　It's getting dark earlier and it's starting to get cold. Christmas is still
a long way away. We need something to cheer us up and take our minds of the fact
that winter is nearly here. See how much you know about the traditional festival
of Hallowe'en.
       
       
                　　The origins of the name
       
       
                　　The festival of Hallowe'en has its roots in Celtic and Roman traditions.
Over 2,000 years ago the Celts in Britain, Ireland and parts of France
celebrated Samhain to mark the beginning of winter. When the Romans invaded,
they merged this with Feralia, their celebration of the passing of the dead. As
Christianity spread, the Church tried to replace these pagan feasts with
official Church holy days. One of these was November 1. It was called "All
Hallows", and October 31 was known as "All Hallows' Eve", and then
Hallowe'en.
       
       
                　　Hallowe'en traditions
       
       
                　　In the past there was a tradition called "souling". Poor people went around
houses asking for food. In exchange, they promised to say prayers for the dead.
People no longer go souling, but the habit has been transformed into a modern
Hallowe'en game for children in America, who dress up as ghosts, witches and
monsters and go around people's houses.
       
       
                　　Witches
       
       
                　　Hallowe'en wouldn't be fun without witches. Witches have always been part
of popular folklore. Shakespeare's play "Macbeth" opens with three witches. A
witch was someone - usually a woman - who had special powers and had dealings
with the devil. The American town, Salem, is famous for the "witchcraft trials",
which took place there in 1692.
       
       
                　　Pumpkins
       
       
                　　The pumpkin has become a symbol of Hallowe'en. People empty a pumpkin, cut
a face into the side, and put a candle inside to make a lamp. It's known as a
Jack O' Lantern, from a story about a man called Jack, who made a deal with the
devil.
       
       
                　　Animals
       
       
                　　Black cats, frogs, mice and spiders are just some of the animals associated
with Hallowe'en. Generally, the more unpleasant the animal, the stronger the
Hallowe'en connection. Nocturnal animals like bats are particular favourites,
and if, as is the case with vampire bats, they like drinking blood, they are
high on the Hallowe'en list.