Death and Dying Research Paper
Layout: Halloween: Then Now, & In Between
Thesis:
Every year the seasons change. Every year October comes and goes. Beginning with the Celt’s celebrating the end of the year with past spirits, the Romans celebrating the goddess of orchards, Pomona, to the Christians celebrating Saints day, Halloween is a diverse deathly day. All Hallows Eve, The Vigil of Samhain, and Feast of Pomona are the ancient names for the calendar day of October 31st, the day currently known as Halloween throughout most of the world. Whether a person practices religion or not, Halloween exists in some form; furthermore, it may be loved or may be feared either way Halloween has occurred for centuries and it will continue to occur throughout societies around the world.
I. History a. Celts i. Festival of Samhain 1. Samhain – (Sow-win) Celtic word for “summers end” a. Thought to be the day that dead deceased souls return to Earth. b. Celtic priests were known as Druids. They had magical powers. Druids would build fires during the harvest to sacrifice crops and animals in return for the Druids predicting the future. c. Celts believed that when the dead walked the Earth one time a year they were choosing who dies that year. b. Romans i. Romans invaded the Celts, and ruled them for 400 years. ii. Pomona c. Christians i. All Hallows Eve/All Saint’s Day
II. Traditions a. Graveyards i. Ghosts were thought to have danced in the graveyards on Halloween. If a person encountered a ghost it was a warning that death was coming. b. Black and Orange i. Black means night/evil ii. Orange means end of harvest c. Costumes i. To blend in with the walking spirits, people dressed in costumes. d. Parties
Thesis:
Every year the seasons change. Every year October comes and goes. Beginning with the Celt’s celebrating the end of the year with past spirits, the Romans celebrating the goddess of orchards, Pomona, to the Christians celebrating Saints day, Halloween is a diverse deathly day. All Hallows Eve, The Vigil of Samhain, and Feast of Pomona are the ancient names for the calendar day of October 31st, the day currently known as Halloween throughout most of the world. Whether a person practices religion or not, Halloween exists in some form; furthermore, it may be loved or may be feared either way Halloween has occurred for centuries and it will continue to occur throughout societies around the world.
I. History a. Celts i. Festival of Samhain 1. Samhain – (Sow-win) Celtic word for “summers end” a. Thought to be the day that dead deceased souls return to Earth. b. Celtic priests were known as Druids. They had magical powers. Druids would build fires during the harvest to sacrifice crops and animals in return for the Druids predicting the future. c. Celts believed that when the dead walked the Earth one time a year they were choosing who dies that year. b. Romans i. Romans invaded the Celts, and ruled them for 400 years. ii. Pomona c. Christians i. All Hallows Eve/All Saint’s Day
II. Traditions a. Graveyards i. Ghosts were thought to have danced in the graveyards on Halloween. If a person encountered a ghost it was a warning that death was coming. b. Black and Orange i. Black means night/evil ii. Orange means end of harvest c. Costumes i. To blend in with the walking spirits, people dressed in costumes. d. Parties
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