The professor of psychology stated that the spirit of Halloween is far from the Christian heritage of European culture.
The Hungarian Nation contacted psychology professor Emőke Bagdy on the occasion of All Saints' Day. When asked by the paper why it is important to remember our deceased relatives, the professor emerita answered, "memory is an invisible umbilical cord that connects us with those who are not present, with important people, and brings the past to the present for us.
They used to say that those who are no longer remembered die."
"The people who keep us alive, feed us, educate us, and love us have genetic bonds and even psychogenetic feelings of belonging. This is how the holiday of common, traditional commemoration was born. This holiday is also about giving thanks for our lives, belonging to our ancestors who live on in our souls, and expressing respect and love," said Emőke Bagdy.
The symbols of Halloween have become a means of reframing the inherent fear of death
The specialist was also asked what can be done to preserve the true meaning of the holiday, the remembrance of the dead, while Halloween, which has Anglo-Saxon roots, is increasingly spreading to Hungary.
Emőke Bagdy stated,
In its spirit, Halloween is far from the Christian heritage of European culture.
The pagan Celtic holiday appeared in the culture with an Irish and Scottish interweaving as All Saints' Eve, as a celebration of remembering the dead and spirits."
The clinical psychologist continued by saying that the symbols of Halloween, pumpkin lanterns and frighteningly strange costumes were able to gain ground because they became a means of reframing the inherent fear of death and psychologically de-threatening. "He who hides behind the costume cannot be reached by the death that seeks him. This game is like when a small child who is afraid of dogs goes to the dog at home, and the family members must be afraid of him. If he is the dog, he can't be hurt."
"If we understood the reason for the conquest, the collective attempt to eliminate the fear of death as a ritual costumed player, then perhaps
we would take back our traditionally holy Christian holiday with more respect,
and we could let our children have pumpkin lantern Halloween as entertainment. This depends on our understanding, on us," emphasized the professor emerita.
Featured image: Mandiner / Árpád Földházy
