Difference Between Halloween and Spirits

In any culture, there are certain events that are celebrated by a community and usually centered on a belief or a basic celebration, which is commonly referred to as a festival. They serve to offer a sense of belonging, fulfill communal roles and also provide entertainment. Examples of these festivals include Easter, Halloween, Saturnalia, and Diwali. Some festivities, may, however, be perceived in a different way by other communities, hence end up misunderstood. The Halloween festival, for instance, is commonly misinterpreted by some communities as a show of evil spirits. 

What is Halloween?

This is a celebration especially dedicated to celebrate the dead including the martyrs, saints and all the faithfully departed. It is celebrated on October 31 in several countries and is also referred to as Allhalloween. While some believe that the origin of Halloween is from the ancient Celtic harvest festivals, others believe it began as a Christian festival. The festival includes events such as carving pumpkins, divination games, lighting bonfires, playing pranks, telling scary stories, visiting haunted attractions, visiting the graves of the dead and lighting candles and abstaining from meat for some people, just to name a few.  

What are Spirits?

This is a supernatural being, often invisible and non-physical, such as fairy, angels and ghosts. It is believed that it is a person’s soul and spirit after death. In the modern world, the term spirit is also used to refer to; energy present in living things, a demon or ghost, the separating factor between the life and death, and aspects of God in Christianity, just to name a few.   

Similarities between Halloween and Spirits

• Both are linked to spiritual factors, especially matters beyond human control

Differences between Halloween and Spirits

1. Definition

While Halloween is a celebration especially dedicated to celebrate the dead including the martyrs, saints and all the faithfully departed, sprits refer to a supernatural being, often invisible and non-physical, such as fairy, angels and ghosts. 

2. Celebration

Halloween is a festival celebrated on October 31 in several countries. On the other hand, a spirit is not a festival hence does not involve any celebrations. 

3. Origin

While Halloween originated from the ancient Celtic harvest festivals as well as a Christian festival, the concept of spirits has been there since time immemorial. 

4. Activities

During the Halloween festival, people engage in activities such as carving pumpkins, divination games, lighting bonfires, playing pranks, telling scary stories, visiting haunted attractions, visiting the graves of the dead and lighting candles. On the other hand, since spirits is not a festival, it does not people involve the engagement of any activities as spirits is not a festival.  

Halloween vs. Spirits: Comparison Table

Summary of Halloween vs. Spirits

While Halloween is a festival celebrated on October 31 to celebrate the dead including the martyrs, saints and all the faithfully departed, a spirit is a supernatural being, often invisible and non-physical, such as fairy, angels and ghosts, and is beyond human control. 

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