英语翻译
英语翻译
The Celtic people,who lived more than 2000 years ago feared the evening of Oct.31 more than any other day of the year.It was the eve of their festival of Samhain.Samhain was a joyful harvest festival that marked the death of the old year and the beginning of a new one.The day itself was a time for paying homage to the sun god Baal who had provided the people with the ripened grain for use in the upcoming winter.Come evening evil spirits were everywhere.Charms and spells were said to have more power on the eve of Samhain.Several rituals were performed by the Celtic priests,Druids,to appease the Lord of the Dead.
Christianity was born,and grew strong until in the fourth century after Christ,the Roman Empire Constantine declared it lawful.
Within the Roman Empire,the Christian Fathers tried their hardest to stamp out all things pagan,which is what they named the older religions.However,the Celts held firmly to their Druid customs.So,the Christian church gave them new meanings and new names,and told the people that the fire rites they had previously held for the Lord of the Dead on Oct.31 would now protect them from the Devil,the enemy of God.
关于万圣节由来的,传说最多的版本认为,那是源于基督诞生前的古西欧国家,主要包括爱尔兰、苏格兰和威尔士.这几处的古西欧人叫德鲁伊特人.德鲁伊特的新年在十一月一日,新年前夜,德鲁伊特人让年轻人集队,戴着各种怪异面具,拎着刻好的萝卜灯(南瓜灯系后期习俗,古西欧最早没有南瓜),他们游走于村落间.这在当时实则为一种秋收的庆典;也有说是“鬼节”,传说当年死去的人,灵魂会在万圣节的前夜造访人世,据说人们应该让造访的鬼魂看到圆满的收成并对鬼魂呈现出丰盛的款待.所有篝火及灯火,一来为了吓走鬼魂,同时也为鬼魂照亮路线,引导其回归.
在中世纪的中欧,曾有过基督教摧毁异教徒的历史.可是新年夜前的祭祀庆典从未真正消除,不过以巫术的形式出现.这也就是为什么我们现在的万圣节里,还留有巫婆的扫帚、黑猫、咒语等痕迹.