A Fun Game Played in Halloween

Apple Bobbing

Apple bobbing, also known as bobbing for apples, is a game customarily played on Halloween. The game is played by filling a tub or a large basin with water and putting apples in the water. Because apples are less dense than water, they will float at the surface. Players (usually children) then try to catch one with their teeth. Use of hands is not allowed, and often are tied behind the back to prevent cheating.

In Scotland this may be called "dooking," i.e. ducking.

In Ireland, mainly Co. Kerry it is known as "Snap Apple", and in Newfoundland and Labrador, Snap Apple Night is a synonym name for Halloween.

【翻譯】

    “apple bobbing” 也稱為 “bobbing for apples” 是一項在萬聖節進行的習俗遊戲。此遊戲需要一個裝滿水的桶子或大盆子，並在水中放入蘋果。因為蘋果密度比水低，所以會浮在水面上。遊戲者（通常是小孩）會試著用嘴巴咬一顆。規定不能用手，並且通常會將雙手綁在背後，以防止有人作弊。

    在蘇格蘭這也被稱為 “dooking” 也就是「鑽入水中」的意思。

    在愛爾蘭的Kerry County 此遊戲被稱為 “Snap Apple”（咬蘋果），在紐芬蘭及拉不拉多區，”Snap Apple Night” 是萬聖節的另一個同義名。

History

Apple bobbing originates from Celtic times when Halloween was called Samhain in some Gaelic languages, when apples were associated with love or fertility. Some say this comes from the Roman goddess Pomona whilst others note that this game is an important part of the Celtic pagan religious festival of Samhain when families would gather together for a communal feast.

The current game is based on a New Year tradition, where whoever bites the apple first in the group will be the first to marry.

The popularity of this game is falling, possibly because people may regard it as unsanitary, although there is a variation on the game where the apples are hung on string on a line.

Girls who place the apple they bobbed under their pillows are said to dream of their future lover.

【翻譯】

    “apple bobbing” 的想法源自於「凱爾特族」，當時萬聖節被稱為 “Samhain”（蓋爾語），蘋果代表愛或生育小孩。有些人認為此活動源自於羅馬的女神Pomona（果樹女神）；有些人則相信它是凱爾特族的異教徒在萬聖節時進行的重要宗教活動之一，家人們都會在萬聖節團聚。

    現在的 ”Apple bobbing” 活動則是根據新年傳統遊戲而來，誰在群體當中第一個咬到蘋果，就會最先結婚。

    可能是因為人們認為此活動不夠衛生，現在已經沒有這麼普遍，即使遊戲已經改變成將蘋果綁成一串並用線懸吊起來。

    女孩們會將她們咬到的蘋果放在枕頭下面，因為據說這樣會夢見未來的伴侶。

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween