Whether you know, what bears in yourself this, is unfamiliar sounding for Russian ear, a holiday? Whether pagan rituals, or innocent jokes of children and the adults ready on the night of November, 1st to have fun up to I shall fall, dressing up in ridiculous suits and frightening each other?

And meanwhile history Halloween is interesting, and its nobility follows, even in that case if you consider, that similar celebrating only a tribute to a fleeting fashion.

Roots of this strange holiday withdraw us in depth of centuries, during a pre- Christian epoch when the grounds of Ireland, Northern France and England occupied tribes. Their year consisted of two parts - summer and winter. And transition of one season in another was marked by the termination of harvesting, it was marked on October, 31st and symbolized the beginning of new year. The rights were entered with winter.

great value and, to not fall prey to a shadow dead dressed up in animal heads and skins, extinguished the centers in the houses and all frightening kind frightened off ghosts. Night for November, 1st when under legends the border between the worlds alive opened and dead was called Samhain, considered as the main holiday of ancient people. Pagans gave to it

Entertainments to spirits were exposed in the street, and inhabitants gathered at fires which were planted with priests druids. This night in a victim brought animals, did predictions and lit the winter center, bringing in the house language a sacred flame. The tradition of celebrating was transferred from century to century until in I century of our era Romans have not won territory.

Turned into Christian belief, inhabitants of islands of Ireland and Britain, have been compelled to refuse many pagan customs. However memoirs about Самайне continued to live and be transferred from generation to generation.

And when in IX century Daddy Grigory III has transferred since May, 13th for November, 1st celebrating of Day all sacred, Самхэйн have started to celebrate again. Night previous a holiday, in medieval English language, was called All Hallows Even (Evening of all sacred), in reduction - Hallowe'en, and at all is brief Halloween.

Whether the Christian church endeavoured to revival of a holiday of pagans? Most likely, the objective of eradication traditions was pursued, however, concurrence of dates has led to a boomerang effect. The holiday not only has survived, but also has densely rallied in consciousness of people with church celebrating Day of all sacred.

Since then, the Halloween was marked everywhere in the best traditions Samhain, and night of celebrating was chosen by the witches arranging and frightening peace residents.