HALLOWEEN THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
BY SOO YEON NAM
Halloween, one of the world’s oldest holidays, is still
celebrated today in many countries around the world.
In Mexico and other Latin American countries, Di 'a de
los Muertos – the Day of the Dead – honors friends and
family members who have died. In countries such as
Ireland and the United States, adults and children
celebrate Halloween, which was derived from ancient
festivals and religious rituals. Traditions include costume
parties, trick-or-treating and games.
religious holiday known as All Saint’s Day. Its origins lie
in both pre-Christian and Christian customs. Halloween
is usually celebrated among family and friends. Parties
and large community events are held and adults
celebrate by watching horror films and creating hunted
houses or graveyards. Children dress in funny or spooky
costumes and knock on neighborhood doors shouting,
“trick or treating!” to get candies. Witches, ghosts,
goblins, and skeletons have all evolved as symbols of
Halloween. Pumpkins are also a symbol of Halloween.
Halloween is also celebrated in Asian countries. Ricalyn People carve pumpkins to make Jack O’ Lanterns.
Pamintuan, a junior at SLAS said, “In Philippines, we go
to cemetery to visit dead relatives on Halloween. We In Ireland, where Halloween originated, the day All
give them flowers, light up candles, and pray for them.” Hallow’s Eve is celebrated much as it is in the United
She also added, “Halloween is important to us because States. Children get dressed up in costumes and spend
we should remember our ancestors, family members, the evening “trick-or-treating” in their neighborhoods.
and friends who passed away.” South Korea is another After this, most people attend parties with neighbors
Asian country where people celebrate Halloween. The and friends. At the parties, many games are played,
way people revel in this holiday is very similar to the including “snap-apple,” a game in which an apple is tied
United States.” In South Korea, people wear Halloween to a tree and players try to bite the hanging apple. A
costumes and hang out with friends. People also go to traditional food eaten on Halloween is barnbrack, a kind
Halloween parties and gather on the streets,” said In Hae of fruitcake. There is a coin, a piece of rag, and a ring in
Jeong, a sophomore at SLAS.
each cake that foretells the eater’s future. A coin means
looking forward to a prosperous year; a rag means that
In Mexico, Dia de los Muertos, known as the Day of the future is doubtful; a ring means romance.
Death takes place on November 2nd. During the three-
day celebration that begins on October 31st, families Halloween may be seen as a large American tradition,
and friends gather to pray for loved ones and ancestors but it comes from a long tradition of festivals with the
who have died, and help their spiritual journey. Many return of the dead to the living world. Although
families clean and decorate graves with candy, flowers, Halloween is celebrated in different ways throughout
photographs, and deceased’s favorite foods and drinks. the globe, the idea of honoring and remembering spirits
is the same. Let’s not forget the true meaning and
In the United States, Halloween is on the last day of superstitious roots around the world, for every culture
October and is a celebration that originated from a has its own version.
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