Halloween Facts
What is Halloween?
Halloween evolved from the ancient Celtic holiday of Samhain. Over the centuries, Halloween transitioned from a pagan ritual to a day of parties, costumes, jack-o-lanterns and trick-or-treating for kids and adults.
What does Día de los Muertos translate to?
A. Halloween
B. Day of the Dead
C. Skulls Day
Day of the Dead
What is All Saints Day called in Poland?
A. Zaduszki
B. Proszę
C. Dzięki
A. Zaduszki
What month does the Ghost festival take place?
A. May
B. February
C. August
Hungry Ghost Festival is a festival celebrated on 12 August 2022 that focuses on paying tribute to the spirits of ancestors, as well as other unknown ghosts, as they wander the physical realm.
Where does the Obon Festival take place?
A. Japan
B. Switzerland
C. America
A. Japan
What is Samhain?
Samhain was marked by great gatherings and feasts and was when the ancient burial mounds were open, portals to the Otherworld were visible. It was celebrated to welcomed the end of summer harvest and ushered in “the dark half of the year”
What are some things you can find on an ofrenda? (Table of offerings)
Families create ofrendas (Offerings) to honor their departed family members that have passed. These altars are decorated with bright yellow marigold flowers, photos of the departed, and the favorite foods and drinks of the one being honored. The offerings are believed to encourage visits from the land of the dead as the departed souls hear their prayers, smell their foods and join in the celebrations
Is it common for people who have left Poland to live somewhere else to come home for Poland's all saints day?
Yes, One of the most important family holidays in Poland, Zaduszki sees people all over the country gather to visit the graves of their loved ones. What once began as a set of traditions to please the spirits of the departed is now an occasion to gather the family and remember those no longer with us.
In Hong Kong, does the Ghost festival only last one night?
No, in America, Halloween lasts a single night, but in parts of Asia, including Hong Kong, ghosts are said to roam the earth for the entire seventh month of the lunar calendar. Accounts vary but it’s generally believed that during the ghost month, the gates of hell open and restless spirits emerge to haunt the living.
Where is Pitru Paksha celebrated?
A. India
B. Africa
C. England
A. India
Which country did Halloween come from?
What are sugar skulls on Día de Muertos called?
A. Calaveras
B. A Calavera
C. Ofrendas
A.
What is a popular food that is made to bring to cemeteries on All Saints Day?
A. Pierogies
B. Bread - Powałki
C. Polish Cabbage Rolls
B. This day was celebrated in many ways. People would bake small loaves of bread called powałki or heretyczki that they would bring to the gravesites in order to feed the souls.
Why is it bad to whistle at night during the Ghost Festival?
Whistling is said to attract roaming ghosts, who are just waiting for someone to point them in the direction of a spooky encounter. It is also widely believed that those who interrupt the peace of the night must pay a penalty.
What does Obon translate to?
A. Day of the Dead
B. Visiting Ancestors
C. Hanging Upside Down
C.
Obon translates to 'hanging upside down', to signify suffering. Obon is about freeing ancestors from suffering.
Why do people light candles and bonfires on Halloween?
For much of the early history of Halloween, towering bonfires were used to light the way for souls seeking the afterlife. These days, lighting candles have generally replaced the large traditional blazes.
What is the main orange flower that is used to be the pathways that guide the spirits to their ofrendas?
A. Tulips
B. Roses
C. Marigolds
C.
What does Zaduszki translate to in English?
A. The prayers for the souls
B. Halloween Day
C. Celebration of Death
A. The prayers for the souls
Why shouldn't you take pictures late at night during the Ghost festival?
Thrill-seekers who dare to expose their lens at ungodly hours will run the risk of capturing ghosts in action, and could even end up trapping vengeful spirits in their cameras and phones.
Which God is Worshipped During Pitru Paksha?
A. Brahma, the creator of the universe
B. Kali the goddess of time and doomsday
C. Yama, the god of death
C.
Hindus believe that Yama delivers the souls of their ancestors to receive the offerings and blessings from the living.
What day of the year is Halloween on?
A. November 1st
B. July 4th
C. October 31st
C!
Is Día de Muertos only celebrated in Mexico?
Believe it or not, Mexicans are not the only ones to celebrate Day of the Dead. It is a widely celebrated holiday all over the world. In fact, many religious communities celebrate All Souls Day during the same time as Day of the Dead. The act of honoring the dead is widely celebrated around the world but Day of the Dead is unique in its traditions: the ofrenda, the meaning of life and death, the use of calaveras, the style influenced by La Catrina, and more recently, the festivals in the streets.
Why is it important to be on your best behavior on Zaduszki?
People were expected to be on their best behavior on this day as to not be disrespectful to the visiting souls. Bad behaviors can anger the spirits and bring bad luck to your family for the upcoming year.
Why can't you leave your clothes outside to dry overnight during the Ghost Festival?
Don't leave it outside on the balcony or out the window. The human shape of clothes is said to attract visiting spirits, who will gladly come over to ‘borrow’ your garments for the night.
Things you should avoid doing during Pitru Paksha-
A. Avoid Non-Vegetarian Food
B. Don't Cut Hair or Nails
C. Avoid Engaging in Arguments
D. All of the above
D!