"Remember, remember, the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason, and plot. I see no reason why gunpowder, treason, should ever be forgot." So goes the very catchy poem that is said in commemoration of Guy Fawkes day, that I made mention of in the 4th part of my origin of Halloween series. It's held annually on the 5th of November in England, and since it's date is so close to Halloween the two are often celebrated together.
As the story has it, Guy Fawkes and other conspirators were Catholic militants who were conspiring to blow up the newly erected House of Parliament which was predominately of Protestant belief. This was seen as a sign of treason, but many today believe it was actually just an assassination attempt on King James, who hadn't kept his promise of putting an end to Catholic persecution at the time. But likely, we will never truly know the truth.
On November 5th, 1606, exactly a year after Guy Fawkes was hung, drawn and quartered, the King and Parliament commissioned a sermon to commemorate the event. Not to commemorate Guy Fawkes, but as a reminder to the people what exactly happens when you commit an act of treason. This practice, which they enacted annually, along with the popular nursery rhyme ensured that no one will think of committing any particularly treasonous acts again.
On this holiday, they have parades and fireworks within the streets, and they burn the effigy of a guy (Fawkes). The children, on this day, stuff newspapers into clothes and they go around asking for pennies. The kid who gets the most pennies has the best 'guy'.
Anyway, have I ever mentioned that I LOVE HIS NAME?
Showing posts with label Holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holiday. Show all posts
Friday, November 5, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Origin of Halloween (Part 7)
Well, it looks as though today is Halloween, All Hollow's Eve, Samhain... It seems as if the whole world has taken time off to celebrate this holiday. Well actually, they have, but it's amazing how nearly every society has taken ahold of Halloween so seemingly easily. How could people of such distance and different walks of life just decide "this is the date we celebrate the dead"? Now, I may be getting ahead of myself a little, but I think it's a good idea to take some time and actually think about this one.
In Mexico, they celebrate the annual Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead), on November 2nd or All Souls' Day in Catholic tradition. But they didn't just decide to take up this new celebration when the Spanish conquered their lands. No, in fact, this festival was already widely celebrated among the Aztec tribes of Mexico at this time, and had been around for hundreds of years. Why this date though?
On November 15, China used to set flower shaped lanterns in a stream or river at sundown, giving offerings to deceased whose wandering spirits may return at night to visit. This also shows some resemblance to the Samhain tradition of putting food outside their doors, and it's interesting because the dates are only 15 days apart. It seems as though there is some form of tradition in every pocket of the world that has a "Day of the Dead" so to speak, but why is that?
This is a quote from the book The Worship of the Dead, where it points to this particular origin: "The mythologies of all the ancient nations are interwoven with the events of the Deluge (or a great flood)... The force of this argument is illustrated by the fact of the observance of a great festival of the dead in commemoration of the event, not only by nations more or less in communication with each other, but by others widely separated, both by the ocean and by centuries of time. This festival is, moreover, held by all on or about the very day on which, according to the Mosaic account, the Deluge took place, the seventeenth day of the second month - the month nearly corresponding with our November."
Now, if that doesn't give you chills about ancient history and coincidences, nothing will, until maybe my post tomorrow, but for those of you who aren't familiar with the Deluge or the Great Flood, here's a brief recap of what the Bible has to say: The people of the earth were growing increasingly wicked, and very few lived their lives according to God's laws. He became angry at them, and he told Noah (a faithful worshipper of Him) to build what was called an ark (a large ship that could hold plenty of people and provisions. Noah began to warn the people of earth that God would cause a great flood to wipe out man, and start anew afterwards. God had him gather many animals from around the world and take them into his ark in pairs of 2s and others in 7s. The humans chose to disobey God's warning he sent through Noah, so only he and his family survived the Great Flood that came on the "seventeenth day of the second month." It is believed by many that all life today originated from those 8 humans.
All other humans died that day according to Mosaic account, but it's interesting to think about how all these celebrations of the dead from all corners of the earth revolve around or are on that date in time in which all those people died during the great flood. Commemorating, and worshipping, those for whom the Mosaic account says that God condemned. Food for thought.
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Now, the past 6 days I chose to post only about Halloweens direct relations to the past taking a step by step approach toward the celebration we have today. But today, on the other hand, I chose to look into it's supposed past rather than on facts alone. This quote from the book the Worship of the Dead, is just a quote, and cannot necessarily be proven true, BUT, it does bring out rather incredible connections between today and thousands of years ago, based on the mythologies of many societies. If the celebrations do indeed date all the way back to Noah and a great flood, that would be unbelievable, making Halloween the longest living (and thriving) celebration in human history. But first, it must be proven if the events of the deluge ever actually took place. ;)
In Mexico, they celebrate the annual Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead), on November 2nd or All Souls' Day in Catholic tradition. But they didn't just decide to take up this new celebration when the Spanish conquered their lands. No, in fact, this festival was already widely celebrated among the Aztec tribes of Mexico at this time, and had been around for hundreds of years. Why this date though?
On November 15, China used to set flower shaped lanterns in a stream or river at sundown, giving offerings to deceased whose wandering spirits may return at night to visit. This also shows some resemblance to the Samhain tradition of putting food outside their doors, and it's interesting because the dates are only 15 days apart. It seems as though there is some form of tradition in every pocket of the world that has a "Day of the Dead" so to speak, but why is that?
This is a quote from the book The Worship of the Dead, where it points to this particular origin: "The mythologies of all the ancient nations are interwoven with the events of the Deluge (or a great flood)... The force of this argument is illustrated by the fact of the observance of a great festival of the dead in commemoration of the event, not only by nations more or less in communication with each other, but by others widely separated, both by the ocean and by centuries of time. This festival is, moreover, held by all on or about the very day on which, according to the Mosaic account, the Deluge took place, the seventeenth day of the second month - the month nearly corresponding with our November."
Now, if that doesn't give you chills about ancient history and coincidences, nothing will, until maybe my post tomorrow, but for those of you who aren't familiar with the Deluge or the Great Flood, here's a brief recap of what the Bible has to say: The people of the earth were growing increasingly wicked, and very few lived their lives according to God's laws. He became angry at them, and he told Noah (a faithful worshipper of Him) to build what was called an ark (a large ship that could hold plenty of people and provisions. Noah began to warn the people of earth that God would cause a great flood to wipe out man, and start anew afterwards. God had him gather many animals from around the world and take them into his ark in pairs of 2s and others in 7s. The humans chose to disobey God's warning he sent through Noah, so only he and his family survived the Great Flood that came on the "seventeenth day of the second month." It is believed by many that all life today originated from those 8 humans.
All other humans died that day according to Mosaic account, but it's interesting to think about how all these celebrations of the dead from all corners of the earth revolve around or are on that date in time in which all those people died during the great flood. Commemorating, and worshipping, those for whom the Mosaic account says that God condemned. Food for thought.
---------
Now, the past 6 days I chose to post only about Halloweens direct relations to the past taking a step by step approach toward the celebration we have today. But today, on the other hand, I chose to look into it's supposed past rather than on facts alone. This quote from the book the Worship of the Dead, is just a quote, and cannot necessarily be proven true, BUT, it does bring out rather incredible connections between today and thousands of years ago, based on the mythologies of many societies. If the celebrations do indeed date all the way back to Noah and a great flood, that would be unbelievable, making Halloween the longest living (and thriving) celebration in human history. But first, it must be proven if the events of the deluge ever actually took place. ;)
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Origin of Halloween (Part 6)
After World War I broke out, America pretty much "lost it's innocence and began to grow up". The mentalities of Halloween and other such holidays were skewed, and stopped being celebrated by adults, thus it became a children's holiday. It became a popular tradition for kids to roam the streets at night, but as they did so it began a resurgence of the dark side that had demeaned the holiday in the past. Thus it became known as "Mischief Night."
In the years following WWI, there were many acts of vandalism during the night of Halloween. One year, in 1930s New York, kids broke an estimated 1000 windows in the Queens borough. It wasn't uncommon that the pranks would sometimes be deadly. So, some towns tried different methods to quell the beast. One such town is Anoka Minnesota, who decided it would be a good idea to hold the first American parade/festival on the night of Halloween. It was a success for the most part.
But again, WWII broke out and many Halloween festivals were ignored. Many kids disregarded Halloween at that time, putting most of their time and energy into the war effort (i.e. food or metal scraps). But, after the second great war, came an extreme resurgence in Halloween. Post WWII America, there was a baby boom and such a boom also happened with the Halloween holiday.
To make sure kids went home on time (primarily to avoid vandalism), radio stations would hold prizes to all kids who could get home within 30 minutes of the broadcast. Events like organized trick-or-treating helped subdue Halloween's more mischievous side.
But in 1970s Detroit, this night soon became known as "Devil's Night", as many houses were lit up in flame as simple, but deadly pranks. People began fearing for their lives and the lives of their children and their homes on Halloween. Rumors began to spread that kids were dying because of trick-or-treating because of razor-blades and poison in the treats. And although it was true that razor-blades were found pushed inside apples and poison was found often in candy, many police investigations realized that these were, nine out of ten times, domestic attacks within the family. Still, many parents began accompanying their children in trick-or-treating.
Today, many modern day Neopagans and Wiccans consider Halloween one of their most sacred nights of the year, believing like their Celtic ancestors, that the veil is thinner on this night. Unlike their Celtic ancestors though, they instead invite these dead loved ones and spirits bak from the grave.
Americans today spend a rough estimate of $2.5 billion a year on Halloween, making it the second most expensive holiday. More than half of all homes get decorated, and most kids trick-or-treat. Many dress-up, it's a popular custom to bob for apples, to tell ghost stories and to put faces on pumpkins. Now you know why. Although the past few decades have turned Halloween into a primarily childish holiday, it isn't uncommon for adults to celebrate it now too.
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And that's the origin of Halloween. But wait... what ever will I do for the seventh part tomorrow?
In the years following WWI, there were many acts of vandalism during the night of Halloween. One year, in 1930s New York, kids broke an estimated 1000 windows in the Queens borough. It wasn't uncommon that the pranks would sometimes be deadly. So, some towns tried different methods to quell the beast. One such town is Anoka Minnesota, who decided it would be a good idea to hold the first American parade/festival on the night of Halloween. It was a success for the most part.
But again, WWII broke out and many Halloween festivals were ignored. Many kids disregarded Halloween at that time, putting most of their time and energy into the war effort (i.e. food or metal scraps). But, after the second great war, came an extreme resurgence in Halloween. Post WWII America, there was a baby boom and such a boom also happened with the Halloween holiday.
To make sure kids went home on time (primarily to avoid vandalism), radio stations would hold prizes to all kids who could get home within 30 minutes of the broadcast. Events like organized trick-or-treating helped subdue Halloween's more mischievous side.
But in 1970s Detroit, this night soon became known as "Devil's Night", as many houses were lit up in flame as simple, but deadly pranks. People began fearing for their lives and the lives of their children and their homes on Halloween. Rumors began to spread that kids were dying because of trick-or-treating because of razor-blades and poison in the treats. And although it was true that razor-blades were found pushed inside apples and poison was found often in candy, many police investigations realized that these were, nine out of ten times, domestic attacks within the family. Still, many parents began accompanying their children in trick-or-treating.
Today, many modern day Neopagans and Wiccans consider Halloween one of their most sacred nights of the year, believing like their Celtic ancestors, that the veil is thinner on this night. Unlike their Celtic ancestors though, they instead invite these dead loved ones and spirits bak from the grave.
Americans today spend a rough estimate of $2.5 billion a year on Halloween, making it the second most expensive holiday. More than half of all homes get decorated, and most kids trick-or-treat. Many dress-up, it's a popular custom to bob for apples, to tell ghost stories and to put faces on pumpkins. Now you know why. Although the past few decades have turned Halloween into a primarily childish holiday, it isn't uncommon for adults to celebrate it now too.
---------
And that's the origin of Halloween. But wait... what ever will I do for the seventh part tomorrow?
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