D. Halet is an European history, Holidays and Tarot Cards passionate; she writes articles and creates websites dedicated to these subjects.
For more info on Halloween Costume ideas, visit My Happy Halloween! and receive a free My Happy Halloween Guide.
Great Adult Halloween Costumes Ideas
For lot of adults every Halloween brings the same question. What kind of costume can I wear this year? Finding adult Halloween costumes ideas is easy, finding great ones is something else. Another question to be asked is, do you want to be funny, scary, cute or sexy? Although this is a holiday that is usually associated with being scary people down through the ages have chosen to celebrate in a variety of different ways.
No longer are ghosts and goblins the only choices for costumes, now you can be just about anything your heart desires. It doesn’t even have to be something humanoid. It can be an inanimate object like a ketchup bottle or salt and pepper shakers. Couples can even dress in one costume. Just about anything your mind can come up with you can find a costume of it or you can make it yourself. It doesn’t matter, as far as adult Halloween costumes ideas go it’s anything goes.
Lets take a look briefly of the origins of this holiday.
The holiday is actually a mixture of the ancient Celtic holiday of Samhain, the Roman festivals of Feralia and Pomona and the Christians day of All-hallows Eve, which became Halloween. All-hallows Eve was the day before All Saints’ Day, which was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas. This day was to take the place of the Celtic’s Samhain the day before they celebrate the day of the dead.
The Celtics believed that on Samhain the ghosts of the dead would return and ruin their crops. The Celtics would light bonfires and wear costumes, consisting of animal heads and skins and would try to tell each other’s fortunes in an attempt to ward off the ghosts.
By changing Samhain to All-hallows Eve, the day before All Saints’ Day, the Catholic Church sought to bring a more religious nature to the Celtics day of the dead making it a day to honor saints and martyrs.
When European immigrants came to America, their varied Halloween customs came along with them.
Trick-or-treating actually goes back to the early All Souls’ Day parades in England. Poor people would beg for food during the festivities. They were given pastries called “soul cakes” by families for their promise to pray for the family’s dead relatives.
The wearing of costumes not only have Celtic roots by European roots as well. There was a time when people thought that on Halloween ghost would come back and if they left their houses the ghost would see them. So as to not be recognized by the ghosts, people wore masks when they left home so that the ghosts would think that they were ghosts also. To keep the ghosts from entering their homes, people would put bowls of food outside their houses.
So as you can see Halloween has a long and strange history. So now lets look at some great adult Halloween costumes ideas.
One great idea is to dress like a zombie. Everybody likes zombies just look at all the movies that’s been made about them. You just can’t go wrong as a zombie.
How about your favorite cartoon character? You’re bound to be a hit as Peter Griffin from “The Family Guy”, Fred Flintstone, or Sponge Bob Square Pants.
Ladies you can dress as a mermaid, a princess or even Barbie. Oh, how about a sexy witch?
If you look around online there is no doubt you will find loads of great adult Halloween costumes ideas. Just keep your eyes open.
If you would rather give your friends and family a laugh this Halloween rather then a scare, take a look at some Funny Adult Halloween Costumes. Follow the link to discover some costumes that will surely bring a smile to your face.
Adult Samurai Warrior Costume
- Great Adult Costume
- One Size Fits Most Adults
See More Adult Halloween Costume Ideas – Japanese Style
Origins of Halloween
To safeguard by themselves, the Celts built bonfires the place they sacrificed crops and animals to the gods. The men and women dressed in costumes and believed that they could inform fortunes on October 31st, or Samhain.
Afterwards the Catholic church declared All Saints Day and All Souls Day about the exact same time. This is extensively considered to be an attempt to substitute a pagan holiday with a Christian an individual. The bad would go from doorway to doorway getting food in return for prayers for the dead.
As the a long time went on, other traditions became attached to Halloween. While individuals had carved lanterns out of a assortment of vegetables for a prolonged time, a frightening tale about Stingy Jack became the purpose that Jack-O-Lanterns ended up affiliated with Halloween.
Now Halloween is the 2nd most business holiday in the U.S. We expend capital on costumes, fog devices and candy. In metropolitan areas across America, you’ll come across overall retailers that open up just for the two months prior to Halloween.
Are you knowledgeable of the legitimate origin of Halloween? There was a time when I was totally uniformed about the connection this holiday getaway has with occult practices. I assumed it was just a exciting getaway and eagerly participated in a Haunted Household as a fundraiser for my church until eventually mastering about the origins of Halloween.
Halloween began properly just before Christ’s birth as a three day celebration of the dead by the druids in ancient regions of England and Ireland. It is recorded in historical past as the eve of samhain, which marked the conclude of the Celtic calendar 12 months.
For the duration of this festival, divination and sooth-saying had been practiced. Druids dressed as witches, goblins, and fairies were documented to go during the countryside harassing men and women for contributions of foods. This is the foundation for our latest trick-or-deal with rituals. Satanic worship and witchcraft, this includes black cats, have been all affiliated with this time which sounds a lot like our recent Halloween traditions.
The present-day Halloween practice of dressing little ones in masks and costumes and sending them out into the neighborhoods for “food” closely mimics people harassing behaviors by the early druids. Even the jack-o-lantern got its starting from turnips carved as death masks carried by the druids during this time.
These traditions have turn into a element of American household lifestyle as basic and playful fun. The real origin of this pleasurable paints a much different picture. The query continues to be: is this a apply that our children ought to be engaging in when it was born out of these “dark” beginnings?
Is it just basic exciting or is there more going on powering the scenes?
Halloween is an individual of the most ancient celebrations, its origins getting discovered thousand of several years in the past. The celebration we now know as Halloween has regarded a whole lot of influences from unique peoples. In the Roman Empire, it was acknowledged as Pomona’s Day, the Celts understood it as Samhain and the Christians understood it as All Saints’ Day or as All Hallows’ Day.
Here are a number of items on the Celtic origins of this holiday getaway.
A brief history individuals modern Halloween begins with a traditional Celtic holiday called Samhain (pronounced sow-en). The Celts lived in present-day Ireland and England dating to about the 5th Century BC. Other story will amaze you see it at this website.
Celebrating Halloween is a Christian Thing?
Traditionally, it was known as All Hallow’s Eve, when the dead were remembered. Over time, it became cultural. For Americans, it became commercialized. Unfortunately, the emphasis on this commercialized holiday has shifted from the little cowboys and Indians to a much more evil and pointed attraction to all things hideous and pagan. Satan has undoubtedly made this commercialized holiday into something that has subtly focused on dressing kids up as ugly demonic creatures.
Samhain. Many believe the festival of Samhain to have been the beginning of the Celtic year. At Samhain, farmers brought livestock in from summer pastures and people gathered to build shelter for winter. The festival also had religious significance and people burned fruits, vegetables, grain, and possibly animals as offerings to the gods. In ancient Celtic stories, Samhain was a magical time of transition when important battles were fought and fairies cast spells. It was a time when the barriers between the natural world and the supernatural were broken. The Celts believed that the dead could walk among the living at this time. During Samhain, the living could visit with the dead, who they believed held secrets of the future. Scholars believe that Halloween’s association with ghosts, food, and fortunetelling began with these pagan customs more than 2,000 years ago.
All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day. Many of the customs of the pagan Celts survived even after the people became “Christianized.” In the 800′s A.D., the church established All Saints’ Day on November 1. About two hundred years later, it added All Souls’ Day on November 2. This day was set aside for people to pray for friends and family who had died. People made many of the old pagan customs part of this Christian holy day. Some people put out food for their ancestors or they left a lantern burning in the window so that ghosts could find their way home for the night. Through the years, various regions of Europe developed their own Halloween customs. In Wales, for example, each person put a white stone near the Halloween fire at night and then checked in the morning to see whether the stone was still there. If it was, the person would live another year.
Halloween in the United States. Many early American settlers came from England and they brought various beliefs about ghosts and witches with them. In the 1800′s, many immigrants from Ireland and Scotland arrived in the United States and introduced their Halloween traditions. Other groups added their own cultural influences to Halloween customs. German immigrants brought a vivid witchcraft lore, and Haitian and African peoples brought their native voodoo beliefs about black cats, fire, and witchcraft.
We recognize that this can be a very controversial topic. Some Christians view Halloween simply as a day to dress up in a costume and have fun. Other Christians regard Halloween as a satanic holiday designed to worship evil spirits and promote darkness and wickedness. So, who is right? Is it possible for Christians to participate in Halloween without compromising their faith?
Halloween, no matter how commercialized, has almost completely pagan origins. As innocent as it may seem to some, it is not something to be taken lightly. Christians tend to have various ways to celebrate or not to celebrate Halloween. For some, it means having an “alternative” Harvest Party. For others, it is staying away from the ghosts, witches, goblins, etc., and wearing less evil or pagan costumes, e.g., little princesses, clowns, cowboys, super-heroes, etc. Some choose not to do anything, electing to lock themselves in the house with the lights off. With your freedom as a Christian, you are at liberty to decide how you react.
Scripture does not directly speak at all about Halloween, but it does give us some principles on which we can make a decision. In Old Testament Israel, witchcraft was a crime punishable by death (Exodus 22:18, Leviticus 19:31; 20:6, 27). The New Testament teaching about the occult is clear. Acts 8:9-24, the story of Simon, shows that occultism and Christianity don’t mix. The account of Elymas the sorcerer in Acts 13:6-11 reveals that sorcery is violently opposed to Christianity. Paul called him a child of the devil, an enemy of righteousness and perverter of the ways of God. In Acts 16, at Philippi, a fortune-telling girl lost her demon powers when the evil spirit was cast out by Paul. The interesting matter here is that Paul refused to allow even good statements to come from a demon-influenced person. Acts 19 shows new converts who have abruptly broken with their former occultism by confessing, showing their evil deeds, bringing their magic paraphernalia, and burning it before everyone (Acts 19:19).
So, should a Christian celebrate Halloween? Is there anything evil about a Christian dressing up as a princess or cowboy and going around the block asking for candy? No, there is not. Are there things about Halloween that are anti-Christian and should be avoided? Absolutely! Parents, if you are going to allow your children to participate in Halloween, make sure you keep them from getting involved in the darker aspects of the day. If Christians are going to take part in Halloween, their attitude, dress, and most importantly, their behavior, should still reflect a redeemed life (Philippians 1:27). There are many churches who hold “harvest festivals” and incorporate costumes, but in a godly environment. There are many Christians who hand out tracts that share the Gospel along with the Halloween candy. The decision is ultimately yours to make. God’s view on the subject is clear: “Be Holy, as I am Holy” (1 Peter 1:16). “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5b).
God commands us to have nothing to do with anything that smacks of the occult, devil worship, or involvement with the spirit world through the use of mediums, séances, Ouija boards, horoscopes, tarot cards, channeling, etc. He considers all of these an abomination (Deuteronomy 18:9-12; Isaiah 8:19-20; Galatians 5:20; Revelation 21:8), and those who involve themselves in such things invite disaster (Acts 19:13-16).
From the source.. http://www.gotquestions.org/
Article from articlesbase.com
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Halloween Worldwide – Which Country Does Celebrate Halloween?
Halloween was originally a pagan holiday celebrated by Celtic people and born from the pagan holiday “Samhain”.
Samhain is a holiday that celebrates the dark season of the Celtic year. Gallic people also celebrated this holiday; which was called “Samonios”. Samonios has been replaced in Gallic countries by Christian celebrations.
Samhain was celebrated three days before and three days after November 1st and the origin of there was no carved pumpkin nor trick or treating. People had a lantern made out of a turnip. The celebration was strictly observed by the whole society and gave the opportunity to every barbarian to eat, drink and have fun.
Over the centuries, continental Europe converted to Christianity and abandoned Samonios in favour of All Saints Day and Samhain became All Hallow’s Eve.
However, the Halloween that we currently celebrate has nothing in common with Samhain.
Halloween and All Saints Day are still interrelated because Halloween means “The Night Before the Feast of All Saints” and “All Hallow’s Day” is our Continental All Saints Day.
All Hallow’s Eve; which evolved during the Christianization of European populations, was imported in America by European colonists and the current Halloween holiday was created by the Irish emigrants.
In Belgium, two villages still celebrate Samonios (Samhain), born from All Saints Day, Grindin and Saint Gregory holidays. One of these villages is Gouy-Lez-Pieton. A friend of mine lives in Gouy and when I talk about Halloween, she says: “We did not replace Saint Nicholas holiday by Christmas so, we will not replace our All Saints Day and our Day Of The Dead by Halloween!” However, she agreed to organize a Halloween party with me next year.
Here are some countries which celebrate Halloween:
If some continental European countries adopted Halloween, this has not been without difficulty. Indeed, we consider this celebration being too “American Marketing” style. European people give more value to their culture and traditions than to commercial events.
Belgian people celebrate Halloween since more than ten years but Gouy-Lez-Pieton refuses to adopt it, preferring to celebrate their own Samhain-style holiday. Even if Belgian people organize a Day Before Christmas dinner, they still offer gifts to children on December 6th and not on December 25th. So, I doubt that my country will replace All Saints Day by Halloween.
On the other hand, Belgian people do not open their doors to unknown persons – including children – and we are not welcomed to ask for candies. By the way, many children are fighting in the streets to steal candy from others.
French people think that this holiday is too commercial and while this country finally adopted Halloween in the late 1990s, it is now less appreciated. There are very few children ringing at the doors and asking for sweets.
English people celebrate the Guy Fawkes Day on November 5th and adopted many customs from Samhain. These festivities are marked by torchlight parades where children use masks made from beets and pumpkins.
Scottish people practice their ancient pagan rites. Children wear costumes and cut scary faces into large rutabagas and place a candle inside them. They receive candy when they provide a nice entertainment to their neighbours.
Trick or treating originated in Ireland, so as usual, Irish children in disguise will enjoy the Halloween festivities, they will carry lanterns cut into large rutabagas. Children will be received by their neighbours with sweets and Irish houses will be decorated with Halloween lights.
Spanish people enjoy each kind of holidays and parties. Their kids will then enjoy receiving candies from their neighbours and adults will have the opportunity to have a Halloween party in each and every club. Spanish people also organize many Halloween parades.
Portugal does not celebrate Halloween; Portuguese people celebrate the Day of the Dead by organizing feasts at the cemetery.
Some regions of Italy organize Halloween Events and it seems that the Italian children enjoy this holiday.
Other European cities and clubs organize commercial events for Halloween (mainly for tourists), newspapers publish articles dedicated to Halloween, but I am unsure that people really practice Halloween. There are very few information about Halloween festivities in Europe; especially Central and eastern Europe. They stick to their own All Saints Day and Day Of The Dead.
Australia and New Zealand begin to enjoy Halloween.
USA, Canada, and Quebec: Halloween is very much appreciated and I think that only some worldwide disaster should prevent these people to celebrate Halloween.
Since some years, there is a growing interest on the part of the Chinese population for western events: Chinese people enjoy Halloween parties.
D. Halet is an European history, Holidays and Tarot Cards passionate; she writes articles and creates websites dedicated to these subjects.
For more info on Halloween Costume ideas, visit My Happy Halloween! and receive a free My Happy Halloween Guide.
Article from articlesbase.com
Find More Halloween Articles
If you know me a little, you already know that I am Belgian.
In Belgium, we always celebrated All Saints Day and the Day of Deaths on 1st and 2nd of November instead of Halloween and I cannot say that they are subjects very funny to write about.
In Belgium also, the weather is always rainy, so, since I work in a school, children are often inside rather than outside and I always have to find an activity for them so that they are not bored.
This week I also had to find some Halloween subjects to write about.
So, I found the solution: instead of writing an article dedicated to Halloween and called “top 10 Halloween Kids Costumes” based on articles and information written by adults, I asked the children what are the Halloween costumes they would like to dress on October 31st.
I must acknowledge that I was terribly disappointed. When I was a child, I adored being dressed up as a princess, baroness, White-Snow, etc. For Carnival, the boys were all dressed like Robin Hood, The prince of Arabian Nights, cow-boy, indian, musketeers…
But what kind of costume do the 2007 children like?
I asked the children at school what kind of costume they want to dress for Halloween.
The answers were diversified even though they did not have much of magical touch.
“What kind of Halloween costume would you like for Halloween, Sylvie?”
“Scream’s costume including the mask of course, Madame Domi!”
She is only 10 years old! I thought that her answer would be a Cinderella or Esmeralda costume. It was not! She wanted to dress the Scream’s murderer costume. Why? Because Scream was the most interesting movie she saw!
Anaïs answer was the following one:
“I want to dress a rich witch costume, with a pointy hat, a black wig, a large hooked nose with a big button on it, long nails like claws and pointed shoes”.
Agon hesitated between the Devil’s costume: the same as in the bible, with a tail, a fork, horns… or a pirate costume.
“As Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean?” I asked to him.
“No, sometimes pirates are skeletons and I want to be a skeleton-ghost-pirate.”
Another one answered:
“I want to dress the Monster Mash costume, Madame”.
The kid probably heard talking about the Monster Mash when he watched The Simpsons’ Halloween show. I love the Monster Mash song but never saw the Monster Mash in person and I do not think that someone saw this monster and knows what kind of costume he dresses.
The youngest children interviewed want to dress a Superman or a Batman costume.
My greatest surprise was Cynthia’s answer, who we call Brutus because she is not a delicate young girl. Cynthia wants to dress a princess costume.
So, the top 5 Children Halloween Costumes are:
Scream’s murderer costume,
Witch Costume,
The Devil’s costume,
Pirate costume,
Spiderman or Batman costume.
I will interview my +40 years old friends on what they would like to dress as Halloween costumes!
I think I will be surprised!
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