在西方国家,每年的10月31日,有个“Halloween”,辞典解释为“The eve of All Saints'Day”,中文译作:“万圣节之夜”。万圣节是西方国家的传统节日。这一夜是一年中最“闹鬼”的一夜,所以也叫“鬼节”。
The origin of Halloween
The legend of the origin of Halloween, there are many versions, the most common view, that is before the birth of Christ from the Medieval Western Europe countries, including Ireland, Scotland and Wales. This person called several of the Medieval Western Europe Druitt people. Druitt in the November 1 New Year, New Year's Eve, young people who set druid team, wearing all kinds of weird mask, carrying a carved radish good light (the late custom pumpkin light system, Medieval Western Europe first there is no pumpkin), they walk in the villages between. This was actually a kind of harvest celebration; also said to be "Halloween", the legend who died that year, the eve of Halloween spirit will visit the world, said that people should be allowed to visit the ghost that the ghost of a successful harvest and to render a hearty welcome. All fire and lights, the one to frighten away the ghost, but also for the ghost light line, to guide their return.
Central Europe in the Middle Ages, there had been destroyed by the pagan history of Christianity. However, before the ritual celebration of New Year's Eve never really eliminated, but in the form of witchcraft. This is why we are Halloween, but are also left witches broom, black cat, spells and other marks.
万圣节的由来
关于万圣节由来的传说有许多版本,最普遍的认为,那是源于基督诞生前的古西欧国家,主要包括爱尔兰、苏格兰和威尔士。这几处的古西欧人叫德鲁伊特人。德鲁伊特的新年在十一月一日,新年前夜,德鲁伊特人让年轻人集队,戴着各种怪异面具,拎着刻好的萝卜灯(南瓜灯系后期习俗,古西欧最早没有南瓜),他们游走于村落间。这在当时实则为一种秋收的庆典;也有说是“鬼节”,传说当年死去的人,灵魂会在万圣节的前夜造访人世,据说人们应该让造访的鬼魂看到圆满的收成并对鬼魂呈现出丰盛的款待。所有篝火及灯火,一来为了吓走鬼魂,同时也为鬼魂照亮路线,引导其回归。
在中世纪的中欧,曾有过基督教摧毁异教徒的历史。可是新年夜前的祭祀庆典从未真正消除,不过以巫术的形式出现。这也就是为什么我们现在的万圣节里,还留有巫婆的扫帚、黑猫、咒语等痕迹。
October 31 is Halloween, one of the most popular festivals in the US, Canada and Britain. The festival began as a day to remember the dead. But nowadays it's all about the carnival atmosphere when people can enjoy dressing up and scaring each other.
10月31日万圣节前夜是美国、加拿大和英国最受欢迎的节日。节日源起于对死者的纪念日。但现在它完全一场大狂欢,人们尽情享受着改装易容互相恐吓的乐趣。
Halloween is one of children's favourite nights of the year. They dress up as monsters and go to their neighbours'houses. Knocking on the door they shout: "Trick or treat!" Of course, usually people give them "treats" - a like sweets and chocolates. But, if you don't, you can expect a prank such as having your car windows soaped or your garbage cans turned over.
万圣节前夜一年之中孩子们最喜欢的夜晚。打扮成妖怪去邻居家,敲着门大喊:“不给糖就捣蛋!”当然,人们通常会给“糖”——比如甜食或者巧克力。但你不给,那就等着一场恶作剧吧,你会你的车窗被涂上了肥皂,垃圾桶翻倒在地,等等。
Halloween is also a time for masquerade parties. Witches fly in on broomsticks, while ghosts and skeletons chat on the dance floor.
万圣节前夜举办化妆舞会的好时机。你会看到女巫坐着扫帚柄飞进来,鬼怪和骷髅则在舞池中窃窃私语。
You can even dress up as a famous monster like Dracula! The motto is: "The scarier, the better."
你还可以化妆成像吸血鬼那样可怕的妖怪。有句谚语说:“越恐怖越好。”
Even making Halloween food should be like casting a spell or mixing a magic drink. In Britain, people drink "Witch's Mix", made with apple, orange, grape and berry juice. Children also enjoy "Halloween Worms," made from egg noodles. And how do you like the sound of "Eye-Balls"? Don't worry, they're made with scoops of chocolate and vanilla ice cream, shaped like human eyes. Skeleton-shaped cookies are equally popular.
甚至连万圣节前夜做的食物也要像下了咒语或者配备魔法饮料。在英国,人们喝叫“巫师之饮”的东西,用苹果、橘子、葡萄和浆果的汁调配而成。孩子们还喜欢吃“万圣节虫子”,是用鸡蛋面做的。你觉得“眼珠子”听上去怎么样?别担心,那只是用几勺巧克力和香草冰激凌做的,只不过像是人眼的形状。头盖骨形状的饼干同样也很受欢迎。
万圣节:Halloween
南瓜:Pumpkin
糖果:Candy
妖精:Goblin
骨头:Bones
巫婆:Witch
巫师:Warlock
女巫:Witch
鬼:Ghost
吸血鬼:Vampire
狼人:Werewolf
怪物:Monster
万圣节服装:Halloween costume
骷髅:Skeleton
僵尸:Zombie
干尸:Mummy
蝙蝠:Bat
面具:Mask
死神:Grim Reaper
蜘蛛网:Spider web