Origins. Main traditions in the United Kingdom and the USA. Halloween superstitions.

1. HALLOWEEN
Marina Oneto

2. History
 The history of Halloween isn't completely clear.
Perhaps began as of the Celts, who believed that the dead would
visit Earth in the last day of October. They had a party in honor of
these called Samhain.
Later the Romans copied some beliefs of the Celts and included
Samhain.
The name of Halloween showed up as of that the Catholic Church
declared the 1st of November as the Day of All Saints and it was
named All Hallowmas. And in some places the night before was
called All Halloen'en and then reduced to Halloween.

3. Traditions
 Austria: Leave bread, water and a lighted lamp on the table when
they go away to bed and so they welcome the dead souls.
 Belgium: Light candles in memory of their dead relatives.
 Britain: Children do "punkies" from beet. Then carried through the
streets and sing the Punkie Night Song while knocking at the doors
and ask for money.
 Canada: Trick-or-treat pumpkins and placed in their windows.
 Ireland: They make shapes pumpkins and put a candle inside.
 China: They place water and food in front of photographs of family
and light bonfires and lanterns to light the way of spirits.
 Czechoslovakia: They place chairs next the fireplace. There is a
chair for each mimembro of the family and another for the spirit of
each person.

4. Traditions
 Germany: They hide weapons with the aim not to hurt the spirits
they return.
 Hong Kong: They burn photos.
 Italy: They make bean-shaped cakes, they go to church to pray for
the souls of the departed and some people are also going to visit the
graves of their relatives.
 Japan: They place food and water in front of the photos of their dead
relatives. In Japan some people celebrate the day of the dead from
13 until 15 July and others they celebrate it the 13th to August 15th.
 Mexico: They make meals near the tombs of their relatives and
children go through the streets with lanterns while ask for money. In
Mexico begins the feast of the Holy Souls' the day 27 of October.
 North America: trick-or-treat and placed lighted pumpkins in their
windows.

5. Traditions
 Philippines: Light candles in memory of their dead relatives.
 Poland: Leave the windows and open doors to welcome it the spirits
that visit them.
 Portugal: Take wine and chestnuts in the cemetery.
 Rome: Go to the cemetery to visit their dead relatives.
 Russia: They use the so called blue cat as a symbol of good luck.
 Scotland: They use pumpkins and put candles inside.
 Spain: Go to church and visit the graves of their dead relatives. Also
in some places it is practiced the trick-or-treatthe children ask for
money and using lighted pumpkins to decorate homes.

6. Superstitions
 Apples, nuts and candles figured prominently in many of the
superstitions practised at Hallow'en.
 HAZEL NUTS
Girls placed hazel nuts along the front of the fire grate, each
one to symbolize one of her suitors. She could then find out
who her future husband would be by cheating, 'If you love me,
pop and fly; if you hate me burn and die.'

7. Superstitions
 APPLES
1. If you slice an apple through the equator and then eat it by
candlelight before mirror, your future spouse will appear over your
shoulder.
2. Peel an apple, making sure the peeling comes off in one long
strand and the throw it over you shoulder. The shape it lands in will
be the initial of your beloved.
3. If you place an apple under your pillow you will dream of your
future husband.

8. Superstitions
 CANDLES
Taken a candle and look into a mirror whilst combing your hair
or eating an apple. Your future husband will appear peeking
over your shoulder.