Introduction to Halloween (万圣节介绍)
Halloween, observed annually on October 31st, is a widely celebrated holiday with ancient roots and modern charm. It blends traditions from Celtic festivals, Roman rituals, and Christian practices, evolving into a day of fun, costumes, and community gatherings. 万圣节，每年10月31日庆祝，是一个有着古老根源和现代魅力的广为人知的节日。它融合了凯尔特节日、罗马仪式和基督教习俗，演变成一个充满乐趣、盛装打扮和社区聚会的日子。
The origins of Halloween trace back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated over 2,000 years ago. Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, a time when Celts believed the boundary between the living and the dead blurred. They lit bonfires and wore costumes to ward off roaming spirits. Later, the Roman Empire’s festival of Pomona, honoring the goddess of fruit and trees, and the Christian holiday All Saints’ Day (November 1st) merged with Samhain, shaping Halloween’s early form. 万圣节的起源可追溯到2000多年前的古凯尔特人的萨温节Samhain。萨温节标志着收获季节的和冬季的开始，凯尔特人认为此时生者与死者之间的界限变得模糊。他们点燃篝火，穿上服饰以驱赶游荡的幽灵。后来，罗马帝国纪念果树女神波莫娜的波莫娜节，以及基督教的万圣节11月1日与萨温节融合，形成了万圣节的早期形式。
Central to Halloween are its beloved traditions. Carving pumpkins into lanterns, known as Jack-o’-lanterns, is an iconic practice. It originated from the Irish legend of “Stingy Jack,” who tricked the devil and was condemned to wander with a hollow turnip lamp; immigrants later adopted pumpkins, abundant in America, as the preferred vegetable. 南瓜灯Jack-o’-lanterns是万圣节的标志性传统。这一习俗源于爱尔兰传说中的“吝啬鬼杰克”，他欺骗了魔鬼，被谴责提着空心萝卜灯游荡；后来移民们在美国采用了盛产的南瓜作为首选雕刻蔬菜。
Trick-or-treating, where children dress in costumes and go door-to-door asking for candy with the phrase “Trick or treat!” emerged in the 20th century. It grew from medieval practices of “souling” (begging for soul cakes) and Scottish “guising” (dressing up and performing for treats). Wearing costumes, from spooky ghosts to pop culture characters, is another highlight—historically used to mimic spirits and avoid harm, today it reflects creativity and trends. “不给糖就捣蛋”Trick-or-Treating是20世纪出现的习俗，孩子们穿上服装，挨家挨户敲门，用“Trick or treat!”索要糖果。它源于中世纪的“souling”乞讨灵魂蛋糕和苏格兰的“guising”盛装打扮并表演以换取零食。穿着从阴森的鬼魂到流行文化角色的服装是另一大亮点——历史上用于模仿幽灵以避免伤害，如今则体现创意和潮流。
Homes are adorned with bats, spiders, skeletons, and black cats, while traditional treats include candy corn, caramel apples, and pumpkin pie. Parties feature games like apple bobbing and haunted house visits, blending spookiness with laughter. 家家户户用蝙蝠、蜘蛛、骷髅和黑猫装饰，传统零食包括玉米糖、焦糖苹果和南瓜派。派对上有咬苹果游戏和鬼屋参观等活动，将惊悚与欢笑融为一体。
Today, Halloween is celebrated globally, with parades, themed parties, and community events. It balances ancient rituals with contemporary joy, uniting people through shared fun and imagination. 如今，万圣节在全球范围内庆祝，包括游行、主题派对和社区活动。它将古老仪式与现代欢乐结合，通过共同的乐趣和想象力将人们团结在一起。