Halloween Tradition

Halloween is fast approaching. It is characterized by fun trick-or-treaters, charmingly spooky decorations, jack-o-lanterns, and obnoxiously sweet candies. Are you ready for a fun night-out or turning off all the lights in your house with your ears plugged, drowning out the noise from the outside? Let us fill in the blanks to learn about Halloween.

Before we move on, I would like to have a silent moment with you all in memory of all those victimized and affected by the 2022 Halloween crush tragedy that occurred in Seoul, Korea. Not only the bereaved families but most Korean people as well have been demanding a comprehensive investigation into the disaster to no avail. People wish to bring justice and gravitas back to Korean society. 

What is the history of Halloween?

The modern holiday of Halloween traces its origins back to Samhain, an ancient Pegan festival that marked the end of summer and the harvest season and the beginning of the long winter, according to History. 1. Ancient C__________ across what is now the UK, Ireland and northern France marked the day with bonfires and donned costumes to ward off ghosts of the dead, which they believed returned to Earth on that day. By the 11th century, as Christianity spread over Celtic territory, the Roman Empire had established November 1 as 2. All _____________’s Day, likely in an attempt to replace the older Celtic holiday with a Christian one, according to History. The night before this day came to be known as All-Hallowmas, then All Hallows Eve, and eventually Halloween.

 

How did the Halloween pumpkin start?

The tradition of carving jack-o’-lanterns for Halloween began in 3. Ir______ hundreds of years ago thanks to an old folktale about a man called Stingy Jack. According to legend, Jack played a trick on the Devil by convincing him to transform into a coin that he could use to pay for his drink, according to History.

But then Jack decided to keep the coin instead, storing it in his pocket next to a silver cross that the Devil could not change back into his true form. Jack played more tricks on the Devil throughout his life and when Jack died, both God and the Devil were upset with him and he was not allowed into Heaven or Hell. Instead, the Devil gave him a burning coal and sent him away.

As the folktale goes, Jack placed the burning coal inside a carved-out turnip and has been roaming the world with it ever since, according to History. He became known as “Jack of the Lantern” and eventually “Jack-o’-lantern.”

People in 4._____________ used to place 5. ____________ inside turnips or potatoes as a reference to this legend. When Irish immigrants came to America, they began using pumpkins instead— and pumpkins have been associated with 6._________ and Halloween ever since.

 

*source from parade.com

 

Answer Keys

   1.  Celts

   2.  Saint’s

   3.  Ireland

   4.  Ireland

   5.  lights

   6.  ghosts