This is a photo of a Celtic Cross that I took in Mayo, Ireland. Celtic history is a large part of our Ancestry, culture and identity in Ireland. Celtic crosses are synonymous with Ireland. You can find original ones centuries old around Ireland. Many people have them erected on their graves, you can see them in jewelry, art, books, both ancient and modern. The Celts came to Ireland, and Britain 2000 years ago and they started what is known today as Halloween. The end of Summer and the gathering of crops took place on October 31st. With the darkness and cold of Winter, the Celts ( Celtic people) looked on November 1st as the new year and they thought as October 31st ended and November 1st started that the boundary’s between the living and the dead got blurred and the Spirits came back to earth for one days. The ancient Druids would light large bonfires to warn the spirits. This is probably why the Christian churches have, All Saints day and all Souls day on November 1st and 2nd. I think maybe with the spread of Catholic and Christian missionaries through out the world these stories spread from country to country
Hi @Eire27
Thanks for your post. In my Country usually Halloween is not a major thing, but in the last years many people start to celebrate it, mainly because of the sweets I think. First of November is instead “Dead’s day” and we usually remember all the dearest persons that passed away.
How are you going to celebrate Halloween tonight?
Hi @Sorbe when my children were younger I would take them to call to houses, we used to say, help the Halloween party, but with the Influence of American kids television shows its now trick or treat and instead of collecting fruit, the kids want sweets. I will have children call to my house tonight and have decorations and I might visit the large bonfire. Some people have fireworks. My dog does not like Halloween☺ here are some of my decorations
Hello @Eire27
Great information and a lovely photo! Here in Sri Lanka although primarily a Buddhist country the second most followed faith is Roman Catholicism.
This is because before the British, the Portuguese and the Dutch were here. The British were the last and they took over from the Dutch. We were occupied by these 3 for many hundreds of years because of our island’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean.
If you look at the map there is no land beyond south of Sri Lanka till all the way up to Antarctica, so every ship that traveled from the West to East and vice versa has to pass Sri Lanka, We are in the middle of one of the busiest international shipping lanes. 