Activities That Can Be Traced Back to Pagan Culture

Links between holiday traditions and pagan culture are well established - and occasionally celebrated - but there are also a lot of misconceptions about paganism that make the word itself a bit taboo. Paganism isn't something to be feared or shunned. In Latin, "pagan" was simply the word for villager or civilian. Religious connotations that developed during the Middle Ages made pagans into heathens rather than outsiders. With all that in mind, there continues to be a pervasive presence of paganism in the modern world.

#pagan #traditions #weirdhistory

[pattycake]

I just like how some people say they don't celebrate Halloween because it's a pagan ritual but yet they celebrate everything else. Am I wrong to just think that these people are being picky in their selection of what they want to celebrate?

[jimmillward]

One i found out recently, are you aware of the saying "The stinking rich" this apparently comes from many years ago when rich people could afford to be buried in sealed lead caskets beneath the stone floors of churches and cathedrals. Very frequently the caskets would over time burst open and the smell of their decay would rise up inot the church where it would stink the place out. just lovely

[NebMunb]

Basically, everything we do is rooted in warding off evil spirits. Noted

[johnking]

No matter how civilized we become, we can't deny our roots. I like it.

[amandaquezada]

I read about this on a pagan page I follow on Facebook. There's actually a story about the hare. It was originally a bird that the goddess of spring saved from dying by changing it into a hare (though, it could still lay eggs).

Later, at a festival, everyone presented their offerings of gold and precious items. However, the hare felt like its gift paled in comparison to the others, so it withheld it's offering...

Until finally, it gave in and presented the goddess with it's eggs. The goddess was so moved by the humble gift, that she placed it by her side; thus, how the hare became her symbol.

[taylorrogers]

I wish this guy was my History teacher in high school. He would've made everyone chuckle. 😂😂😂

[victoriasalter]

As a Brit who is also into paganism and loves Halloween, I cringe every time I hear other Brits say, “Halloween is an American thing. Why should we celebrate it over here?”
The modern Halloween as we know it today is American. However, the origin of Halloween comes from Samhain, a pagan holiday celebrated traditionally in Celtic Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland.

[Hallows]

I remember asking one of my favorite college professors about what the word “pagan“ actually meant etymologically, and his specification of country-dweller has stayed with me ever since. Really glad that was one of the first things mentioned here.

[intreoo]

That moment when people don’t celebrate Halloween for being too pagan but celebrate Christmas which has the same amount of pagan influence

[xz]

"The old Norse god of thunder and Hemsworths". I died

[ivoryowl]

The idea that yawning drains your vitality sort of makes sense because people usually only yawn when they are bored and/or tired. In other words, they are either lethargic or in the process of becoming so. However, the irony here is that modern theories suggest yawning is a reflex we have to stave off tiredness and remain active and attentive, and the fact that it's "contagious" means its probably an evolutionary trait to keep ourselves and our family/tribe awake in case of danger. So instead of draining our vitality it is actually trying to give us some.

[mitchelljones]

As an Australian, things like Halloween and Easter when the seasons are reversed (and I didn’t know this as kid) and this confused the hell out of me when I looked up why…

[RabidJohn]

Back when Christianity was still outlawed by the Roman empire, the symbol they used was a fish. The cross came later.

[ryancolpitts]

You always hear folks say "put Christ back in Christmas!" And never "bring back Christmas orgies!" What a sad world we live in

[RictusHolloweye]

I love it when I'm told that I shouldn't celebrate Christmas, since I'm atheist. I always agree and confirm that I celebrate Yule by decorating a tree, kissing under mistletoe and exchanging presents.

[TheReaper]

The birthday one is wild, had no idea about that.

Got some new useless facts to share when I get drunk with people now lol

[jackmason]

You skipped over April. Its name also derives from the Latin aperilis meaning "the fertile one" or "she who opens for fertilization".

[shannonbb]

I remember in a strict church upbringing I asked an elder if I could ever preach and I got a resounding “not unless you want to be burned like a witch” so…me being the petty witch I am, got my ministers license and made sure to invite his grandchildren to my yearly Halloween party every year.

[horrorchicken]

Personally, I always take off work for Halloween. If asked about it, I say it’s because of religious reasons. Honestly, it’s so I can watch horror movies and binge on candy all day 😈

[keelhe]

This was so cool. It just shows that we have a shared human culture. My fav pagan origin practice is birthday candles and birthday celebrations did not know the origin until now but it’s still fun