The end of October is marked by two holidays in North America featuring ghosts and spirits: Halloween and the Day of the Dead. Halloween is celebrated annually on October 31st. Meanwhile, the Day of the Dead takes place over a three-day period from October 31st to November 2nd.

Halloween

Halloween’s origins can be traced back to the ancient Celts* of Europe. They held a festival called Samhain* to celebrate the end of the harvest. People lit bonfires and wore scary costumes to keep ghosts away. Later, these traditions blended with a Christian holiday called All Hallows’ Eve.*

Centuries later, Scottish and Irish immigrants brought Halloween to the United States. Today, trick-or-treating* and jack-o’-lanterns* are popular around the world.

The Day of the Dead

In Mexico, families celebrate the Day of the Dead by welcoming home the spirits of dead relatives. They leave food and drinks for the spirits on altars in their homes. The holiday is believed to be a mix of Aztec and Spanish customs.

The Day of the Dead is very different from Halloween. Halloween is a playful day to wear costumes and eat candy. The Day of the Dead, on the other hand, honors the dead and celebrates life.

* Celt 켈트족

* Samhain 삼하인 축제

* All Hallows’ Eve 만성절 전야

* trick-or-treating 할로윈 사탕받기

* jack-o’-lantern 잭오랜턴 (할로윈 데이 호박 초롱)