海外文化：萬圣節的那些嚇人事兒

　　在西方國家，每年的10月31日，有個“Halloween”，辭典解釋為“The eve of All Saints'Day”，中文譯作：“萬圣節之夜”。這一夜是一年中最“鬧鬼”的一夜，所以也叫“鬼節”。Hallow 來源于中古英語halwen，與 holy 詞源很接近，在¨北歐的某些區域，萬圣節仍然被稱為 All Hallow Mas，意思是在紀念所有的圣人（Hallow）那一天，要舉行的彌撒儀式（Mass）。oween，是 “All Hallow E'en” 的縮寫，也叫做“The eve of all Saints' Day"，最終約定俗成演變成了“Halloween”中文意譯成了萬圣節之夜，類似于平安夜被稱為 Christmas Eve。 ????? 萬圣節前夜（Halloween），當晚小孩會穿上化妝服，戴上面具，挨家挨戶收集榶果，嘴里喊著："不給糖就搗蛋"（trick or treat）。這個習俗，來源于異教徒相信鬼魂會在每年降臨人間的時候給活著的人制造麻煩。為了保護自己不被惡靈傷害，人們穿上看起來像鬼的衣服，并且準備面包、雞蛋、蘋果等食物當供品以求好運。人們戴著面具，穿著迷惑鬼魂的鬼服，挨家挨戶收供品。慷慨的人點起燈火，受到良好祝愿，但吝嗇的人卻受到威脅。 ????? 繼續學習一下關于萬圣節的背景文化知識吧！ ????? 1. The Halloween celebration comes from All Hallows Day or All Saints Day, the 1st of November. This was originally a pagan festival of the dead, but later became a holiday to honor Christian saints. ????? 萬圣節的慶祝活動來源于每年11月1日的All Hallows Day 或All Saints Day。它原先是異教徒們紀念死者的節日，但是逐漸演變成一個紀念基督圣者的節日。 ????? 2. The name Halloween comes from a contraction of All Hallows Eve (Evening)， the day before All Hallows Day. On this night it was believed that the spirits of the dead would try to come back to life! ????? Halloween這個詞來自于All Hallows Eve(夜晚)，All Hallows Eve是All Hallows Day前一天的縮寫。人們認為在當天晚上，亡者的靈魂會重新復活！ ????? 3. Dressing up in costumes is one of the most popular Halloween customs, especially among children. According to tradition, people would dress up in costumes (wear special clothing, masks or disguises) to frighten the spirits away. ????? Dressing up in costumes是最受歡迎的萬圣節風俗之一，尤其是受孩子們的歡迎。按照傳統習俗，人們會dress up in costumes(穿戴一些特別的服裝，面具或者裝飾)來嚇跑鬼魂。 ????? 4. Popular Halloween costumes include vampires (creatures that drink blood)， ghosts (spirits of the dead) and werewolves (people that turn into wolves when the moon is full). ????? 流行的萬圣節服裝包括vampires(吸血鬼)，ghosts(死者的靈魂)和werewolves(每當月圓時就變成狼形的人)。 ????? 5. Trick or Treating is a modern Halloween custom where children go from house to house dressed in costume, asking for treats like candy or toys. If they don't get any treats, they might play a trick (mischief or prank) on the owners of the house. ????? Trick or Treating 是現代萬圣節的風俗。孩子們穿著特殊的衣服走街串巷，討取糖果和玩具之類的賞賜。如果他們得不到任何的賞賜，就可能會對屋主大搞惡作劇或者胡鬧了。 ????? 6. The tradition of the Jack o' Lantern comes from a folktale about a man named Jack who tricked the devil and had to wander the Earth with a lantern. The Jack o' Lantern is made by placing a candle inside a hollowed-out pumpkin, which is carved to look like a face. ????? Jack o' Lantern 的傳統來自于一個民間傳說。一個名叫Jack的人戲弄了惡魔，之后就不得不提著一盞燈在地球上流浪。Jack o' Lantern是用雕刻成臉型，中間挖空，再插上蠟燭的南瓜做成的。 ????? 7. There are many other superstitions associated with Halloween. A superstition is an irrational idea, like believing that the number 13 is unlucky! ????? 和萬圣節有關的迷信還有很多。迷信是一種不合常理的想法，比如認為13是不吉利的數字！ ????? 8. Halloween is also associated with supernatural creatures like ghosts and vampires. These creatures are not part of the natural world. They don't really exist... or do they? ????? 萬圣節還和一些諸如鬼魂和吸血鬼之類的超自然的生物有關。這些生物不是自然界的一部分。他們實際上是不存在的。。或許他們其實真的存在？ ????? 9. Witches are popular Halloween characters that are thought to have magical powers. They usually wear pointed hats and fly around on broomsticks. ????? 女巫是萬圣節很受歡迎的人物，人們認為她們具有強大的魔力。他們通常戴著尖頂的帽子，騎在掃把上飛來飛去。 ????? 10. Bad omens are also part of Halloween celebrations. A bad omen is something that is believed to bring bad luck, like black cats, spiders or bats. ????? 惡兆也是萬圣節慶祝活動的一部分。人們相信惡兆會帶給壞運氣，黑貓、蜘蛛或者蝙蝠都算是惡兆