万圣节标志的意义和来源
发布时间：2008-10-30
The Meaning and Origins of Halloween Symbols Along with the celebration of Halloween itself, the traditional Halloween symbols (witches, black cats, pumpkins, ghosts, candles, masks, etc.), found their way to the U.S. during the late 1800s. In 1848, the potato famine sent millions of Irish immigrants streaming into America, bringing with them a new culture and customs. In the manner of their Celtic ancestors, they celebrated Halloween, calling it Oidche Shamhna ('Night of Samhain'), and kept up the traditional observances associated with it. Jack-o-lantern
The jack-o-lantern has been an indispensable part of the Halloween tradition since the Victorian era, thanks again to our Irish friends. On Halloween, jack-o-lanterns carved into a scary or funny face with a lighted candle placed inside, are set out on porches or placed in windows, but where once they were created in the hope of frightening away evil spirits that were on the prowl, now they are just a part of the celebration. Originally, back on their home turf, the Irish would carve out turnips or beets to use as lanterns and use a burning lump of coal or a candle to light them. Here in America, however, turnips weren't as easy to come by, but there were pumpkins aplenty. So they substituted pumpkins and discovered that they served the purpose quite nicely. While there are many legends pertaining to the origin of the Jack-o-lantern, one of the most widely accepted is that of "Stingy Jack." An Irishman known as a drunken trickster, Jack wound up on the wrong side of both God and the devil. Upon his death his soul was forbidden to enter either heaven or hell and so was doomed to wander the earth in eternal darkness forever. On his endless travels he carries a turnip with a burning coal to light his way. Fearing this unsavory character, the Irish of old would put jack-o-lanterns on prominent display around their homes on All Hallow's Eve, the purpose being that should Jack happen by, hopefully he would take the light instead of harming the occupants of the house. Black Cats
Throughout history black cats have been considered to be spiritual animals by many peoples. Some have worshiped them believing they have the ability to see spirits. Others have believed them to be reincarnated beings who could predict the future. Over the centuries black cats have also been much maligned. It was believed that witches owned black cats because they were able to assist them in performing their witchcraft and because they sensed a kindred spirit of darkness within these animals. During the Middle Ages black cats were feared because it was believed that witches could turn themselves into black cats. Whenever a black cat was seen it was avoided at all costs because it was perceived to be a witch in disguise. Unfortunately for them, during this time black cats were regularly hunted down and burned alive. Bats
Since bats are creepy nocturnal creatures, it's not surprising that they became known as omens of bad luck or evil but there is more to the story concerning their association with Halloween. The origins of the fear of bats began with the belief that they could communicate with the spirits of the dead, making their link to Halloween seem perfectly natural. As if to confirm this theory, in ancient times when Halloween was celebrated with huge bonfires it was a guarantee that bats would make an appearance, as if drawn by supernatural forces. Actually this was a result of the many mosquitoes that would congregate around the fires, providing an easy snack for the bats who would swoop down and snatch them out of the air. In addition, there was the widely held belief that vampires and witches could transform themselves into bats. Incidentally, the vampire bat is the only mammal that feeds on blood, thus linking bats to death and sealing their fate as terrifying creatures of the night. Witches
Witches and witchcraft go hand-in-hand with Halloween. The image of a witch in black pointed hat riding a broomstick across the night sky is branded in every child's imagination. In ancient times it was widely believed that witches were able to see the future and to cast spells, both good and bad. This naturally made people fear and loath them. Since it was believed that supernatural powers were at their peak on Halloween night, it has caused witches to be forever associated with that time of year. What made things worse for witches was a belief that flourished in the Middle Ages. With Halloween already considered a frightening time, people developed a belief in the existence of a cult of witches who worshiped Satan. They held meetings at certain times of the year called Witches Sabbaths, and the most important of these was on All Hallows' Eve. It was then that the Prince of Darkness, old Satan himself would appear to his loyal followers. Ghosts
The connection of ghosts with Halloween evolved with the ancient Celts, who celebrated Samhain -- the festival of the dead -- on the eve of their new year which began November 1st. Their belief held that spirits of the dead could return to earth as the boundaries between the lands of the living and the dead were blurred during this time. So it seems only right that ghosts became an integral part of Halloween. Apples
Apparently the reason for the custom of ducking, dooking or bobbing for apples -- attempting to bite an apple floating in a bucket of water, or hanging from a string -- was that if a person managed to get a bite from an apple they would have good fortune. For unmarried people, the first person to take a bite out of an apple was considered to be the next to marry. Also, peeling an apple and tossing the peel over your shoulder was supposed to reveal the initial of one's future spouse. Masks and Costumes
The custom of wearing costumes, although done in a more cheerful manner nowadays, originated with the Celts. While celebrating Samhain the Celts would wear costumes made from animal skins. This was in accordance with their belief that during this time the veil between the world of the dead and earth was at its thinnest and, ancestral spirits, or ghosts could roam freely here on earth. They hoped that the costumes would make them appear dead to avoid being harassed by these spirits. Wearing costumes and masks for Halloween became popular here in America in the early 1900s. Stores began carrying Halloween costumes in the 1950s when trick-or-treating became popular throughout the United States.
万圣节标志的意义和来源 随着万圣节被庆祝，传统的万圣节标志（巫婆，黑猫，楠瓜，鬼怪，蜡烛，面具等等）都可以在十九世纪末的美国找到。1848年，马铃薯饥荒使成千上万的爱尔兰移民涌向美国，同时，他们也带来了新的文化和习俗。爱尔兰人的祖先是凯尔特人，他们称万圣节为Oidche Shamhna并用最传统的方法去庆祝它。 楠瓜灯 因为我们的爱尔兰朋友，楠瓜灯从维多利亚时代开始就是万圣节传统不可缺少的一部分。在万圣节，楠瓜灯会被挖成一个恐怖或有趣的样子，中间放上蜡烛，挂在走廊或窗户。它们一度是用于吓走四处觅食的妖魔鬼怪，但现在只是庆祝的一部分。 传统上，爱尔兰人在他们的家乡会把萝卜或甜菜挖空当作灯笼，并用一团燃烧的碳或蜡烛去点燃它们。但是，在美国，萝卜不容易找到，楠瓜却很多。因此他们用楠瓜代替萝卜并发现楠瓜灯相当好看。 楠瓜灯的传说有很多，其中一个最为广泛接受的是“小气杰克”。一个被称为醉酒魔术师的爱尔兰男人杰克，他把上帝和魔鬼搞混了。在他死后，他的灵魂被禁止进入天堂或地狱，因此，他只能在永远在黑暗的人间里徘徊。在他永无止境的旅途中，他带着一个点着碳的萝卜来照明。因为害怕这个声名狼藉的人物，老一辈的爱尔兰人会在万圣节的前一天把杰克灯笼挂到家里显眼的地方，希望杰克在经过的时候，把灯拿走来代替伤害家里的人。 黑猫 在历史中，黑猫都被人们当作是神圣的动物。一些对着黑猫做礼拜的人相信它们能看到灵魂。其他人则认为黑猫是预言家的再生。经过几个世纪，对黑猫的诽谤更加严重。人们认为巫师拥有黑猫是因为黑猫能帮助他们施展巫术和他们把邪恶的灵魂附到黑猫里。中世纪，人们非常害怕黑猫，因为他们相信巫师可以把人类变成黑猫。无论何时人们见到黑猫都会避开它们，因为它们被认为是巫师伪装的。不幸地，在这段其间，黑猫都会被定期猎杀或活生生地烧死。 蝙蝠 因为蝙蝠是令人毛骨悚然的夜行动物，它会被看作是倒霉或邪恶的预兆一点也不奇怪。但它们的故事更多是和万圣节连在一起的。对蝙蝠的害怕起源与它们被认为可以和死去的灵魂沟通，把它和万圣节联系起来再自然不过了。好象是为了确认这个理论，古时候，用巨大的营火去庆祝万圣节就是为了保证蝙蝠的出现，象被超自然力量驱使的那样。 事实上，蝙蝠的出现是因为大量的蚊虫扑向火堆，使蝙蝠可以容易地觅食。再加上，吸血鬼和巫师可以变成蝙蝠的留言被广泛流传。 偶然地，吸血蝙蝠是唯一用血喂养的哺乳动物，因此，它们命中注定与死亡和黑夜中的恐怖生物联系起来。 巫婆； 巫婆和巫术在万圣节中一起出现。在每个孩子的想象中，都有巫婆带着黑色的尖帽子，骑着扫把在夜空中穿行的形象。在古代，很多人都相信巫婆可以预知未来和施好的和坏的咒语。这很自然令到人们害怕和不喜欢她们。人们相信巫婆的法力在万圣节达到颠峰，因此，巫婆永远都和每年的这个时间联系起来。 更糟糕的是，巫婆在中世纪很活跃。随着万圣节已经被认为是一个恐怖的时间，人们开始相信有一群巫婆去崇拜撒旦。她们在每年被称为巫婆安息日固定的时间召开会议。在这些会议中，最重要的是在万圣节前夕召开的那一场。那时，黑暗王子，老撒旦将会在这些忠诚的追随者前现身。 鬼怪 鬼怪与万圣节的联系是从古代凯尔特人里演变出来的。十一月一日是他们的新年，前夕是庆祝死亡的节日——Samhain。他们相信，死亡的灵魂会回到人间，因为在这个时间，人间与死亡的界限将会变得模糊。因此，鬼怪变成万圣节的一部分显得相当正确。 苹果； 显然地，闪避，倾斜和摆动苹果，尝试咬住水中漂浮或用绳悬挂的苹果的习俗是因为咬到苹果的人会交到好运。对未婚的人来说，第一位咬到苹果的人是将要结婚的对象。削苹果然后把皮绕到肩膀上也是为了知道你未来的第一个配偶。 面具与服装； 穿传统服装，虽然现在的更漂亮，是起源于凯尔特人。当庆祝Samhain时，凯尔特人会穿上由动物皮毛制成的服装。这是由于他们相信在这段时间，死亡与生命的界限是最薄的，祖先的灵魂或鬼怪可以在人间自由漫步。他们希望这些服装可以让死亡的人出现去避免人类被这些灵魂伤害。 在万圣节穿戴服装和面具在二十世纪初的美国相当流行。在二十世纪五十年代，当作弄或招待在美国变得相当流行的时候，商店开始出售万圣节服装。 此文章由shimizu提供，佳禾外语进行整理。
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