专四halloween听力原文
Halloween is a celebration observed in many countries on the evening of October 31st. It is widely associated with the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Eve, or All Saints' Eve. The word "Halloween" comes from the Scottish term "All Hallows' Eve", referring to the evening before All Hallows' Day. Halloween has ancient roots, originating from the Celtic festival of Samhain, a Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Samhain was believed to be a time when the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred, allowing spirits to roam freely on the earth.
To protect themselves from these roaming spirits, Celtic people would light bonfires and wear costumes to disguise themselves as spirits. They also left food and treats outside their doors to appease the spirits and prevent them from entering their homes. This practice evolved into the modern tradition of trick-or-treating, where children dress up in costumes and go door-to-door to collect candy from their neighbors.
In America, Halloween became popular in the early 20th century with the influx of Irish an
d Scottish immigrants. They brought with them their Halloween traditions and customs, which gradually merged with American culture. Today, Halloween is celebrated with various activities such as carving pumpkins into Jack-o'-lanterns, decorating homes with spooky ornaments, attending costume parties, and visiting haunted attractions. People also watch horror movies or read scary stories to get into the Halloween spirit.
One of the most well-known symbols of Halloween is the Jack-o'-lantern. Originating from an Irish folktale, it tells the story of a man named Jack who tricked the devil but was denied entry into both heaven and hell after he died. He was then condemned to wander the earth with only a burning coal in a carved-out turnip as his source of light. In America, pumpkins replaced turnips due to their abundance and ease of carving. Today, people carve scary or funny faces into pumpkins and place a lit candle inside, creating Jack-o'-lanterns to ward off evil spirits.
Another popular Halloween tradition is dressing up in costumes. People of all ages enjoy dressing up as witches, ghosts, vampires, superheroes, or any other character they choo
se. Costume parties and parades are organized, allowing people to showcase their creativity and have fun. Some people even dress up their pets in Halloween costumes and participate in pet costume contests.
While Halloween is mainly considered a fun and festive holiday, it also has its share of superstitions and beliefs. Black cats, for example, are often associated with witches and are believed to bring bad luck. Walking under a ladder or breaking a mirror are considered to bring seven years of bad luck. These superstitions add an element of mystique and intrigue to the Halloween season.
Overall, Halloween is a holiday that combines ancient traditions with modern customs. It is a time for people to let their imaginations run wild, embrace their inner child, and enjoy the spooky and magical atmosphere that surrounds this holiday. From trick-or-treating to costume parties, Halloween offers something for everyone to enjoy and celebrate.
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