Fall Traditions Around the World: Fun Facts

Hey there, here's a short list of fun facts from Fall Traditions around the world.

Did you know...

- In Japan, where ancestor-worship has been practiced for thousands of years, a special celebration called the Obon Festival occurs during July or August. While not a typical Fall festival, special foods are prepared, and lanterns are set afloat on rivers and in the sea. Fires are lit every night of the festival to guide departed souls to their families. This is just one occasion during the Japanese year when souls are believed to return home.

Lanterns are set afloat to honor the dead during Japan's Obon Festival

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-  In Austria it is believed that on Halloween night, due to the enormous amount of cosmic energy brewing, if bread, water, and a lighted lamp are left out it will attract and encourage the spirits of loved ones to return home.

-  In Many Spanish-speaking countries, such as Mexico, El Dia de los Muertos, or the day of the dead is celebrated to commemorate loved ones who have passed away.  Rather than being a somber occasion, it is a time of great joy in honor of the dead.

During El Dia de los Muertos families set up altars and dress up in traditional

costumes and face paint to honor their deceased loved ones.

[source]

- France didn't celebrate Halloween, or a dedicated "day of the dead" until the 1990's once it adopted the "American" practice.


Have any fun or interesting facts about Fall Traditions around the world?  Share 'em in the comments!