Поділ кельтами року на світлу та темну половини - Хелловін. Світильник Джека

The Celts were an ancient people who inhabited the territory of modern Great Britain and Ireland.

In the 1st millennium BC, they advanced from the banks of the Rhine, Main and upper Danube rivers and conquered Gaul, as well as the British Isles; in the Iberian Peninsula, they mixed with the local population, and also settled the territories of modern southern Poland and the Czech Republic; in the early 4th century BC (common era) they attacked Rome, and in the 3rd century BC - Greece, reaching Asia Minor; in the 2nd century BC - 1st century AD they were conquered by Rome in the territories of Spain, Gaul and Britain, and over time they were Romanized in Spain and Gaul.

In the 5th and 6th centuries, they were displaced from the territory of modern England by the Germanic tribes of the Britons and formed states in Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and Brittany.

Celtic Samhain: when light turns to darkness

Samhain, Savin or Samhain (Irish: Samhain,) is a Celtic holiday marking the end of agricultural work - the return of herds of animals from summer pastures and the completion of the harvest. It was considered the end of the annual cycle and the beginning of a new one. The holiday lasted seven days - three before the beginning of Savannah, three after Savannah and the day of Savannah itself.

Among the ancient Celts, the year was divided into two parts - dark (from November to March inclusive) and light (from April to October inclusive). The change of parts of the year, as well as the change of months of the year, took place on the night of the new moon.

Light half: associated with growth, life and harvest.

Dark half: symbolized peace, death and preparation for winter.

The alternation of day and night, light and darkness was of great importance to the Celts.

Just as the day is divided into two halves, so the year consists of summer and winter. May 1 marks the beginning of summer, November 1 - the beginning of winter. And these two holidays divide the year into two seasons - 6 months each. Summer is the time when young people usually sought to leave their winter homes and go to the hills, forests, and valleys for the summer with their herds.

After November 1, they all returned home and spent long winter evenings doing home crafts, listening to stories.

Winter is the dark season when nature sleeps, summer goes to the lower world, and the earth is cold and inhospitable.

Time itself consists of a constant alternation of opposites: light and darkness, warmth and cold, life and death.

It was on the border of these two halves, on October 31, that the Celts celebrated Samhain. This was a special day when, according to their beliefs, the border between the world of the living and the dead became the thinnest. The spirits of the ancestors returned to the earth, and evil forces could penetrate our world.

It was believed that after this it was no longer possible to harvest. Traditionally, during the holiday, the community divided the harvest, determined which livestock would remain until spring, and which would be used for food in the winter. On the eve and during the holiday, livestock were slaughtered, meat was salted for the winter, and supplies were made for the winter.

During the celebration, bonfires were lit, animals were sacrificed, the druids threw animal bones into the fire, and then, based on the pattern and cracks that appeared on the bones, they predicted the future. People jumped over the fire, or walked between two fires. This was considered purification by fire. Cattle were led between the fires.

Over time, with the spread of Christianity, Samhain underwent changes. The Catholic Church established November 1 as All Saints' Day and November 2 as All Souls' Day. These dates coincided with the Celtic holiday, and gradually Samhain turned into Halloween - an abbreviation of the English "All Hallow's Eve".

One of the most famous symbols of Halloween is Jack-o-lantern, made from a pumpkin.

The legend of Jack tells of a blacksmith who tricked the devil twice. When Jack died, his soul could not go to heaven or hell. So Jack begged the devil for a coal to light his way in the dark. Putting the coal in a turnip, Jack set off on his eternal journey.

Jack-o'-lanterns served as amulets to ward off evil spirits. The carved faces on the pumpkins and the lit candle symbolized light and hope even in the darkest of times. Beets and potatoes were also used to make lanterns, along with pumpkins and turnips.

When Irish immigrants arrived in America, they replaced turnips with pumpkins, which were more common in the New World. Thus was born the Jack-o'-lantern, which became a symbol of Halloween.

Halloween is not just a holiday of scarecrows and sweets. It is a holiday with deep roots, combining ancient Celtic beliefs and Christian traditions.

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