万圣节 (萬聖節 in traditional form – Wànshèngjié) is the Chinese term for “Halloween,” and while it’s a relatively modern adoption, its structure reflects the meaning of the festival within a Chinese cultural context.

Here’s a breakdown of its components:

• 万 (萬 in traditional form – wàn): This character means “ten thousand” or “a myriad.” It symbolizes a vast number or an encompassing whole.

• 圣 (聖 in traditional form – shèng): This character means “holy” or “sacred.” It originally depicted an ear and a mouth next to an altar, symbolizing listening to divine pronouncements or receiving sacred knowledge.

• 节 (節 in traditional form – jié): This character means “festival” or “holiday.” It originally depicted bamboo stalks tied together, possibly representing a ceremonial object or a marker for a specific time period.

Combining these elements, 万圣节 literally means “myriad saints festival” or “festival of all saints.” This reflects the origin of Halloween as the eve of All Saints’ Day, a Christian holiday commemorating all Christian saints.

While Halloween’s modern celebrations, with costumes and trick-or-treating, are not traditional in China, the term 万圣节 provides a culturally relevant way to refer to this Western holiday. The emphasis on “myriad saints” highlights the collective commemoration of holy figures, aligning with the Chinese respect for ancestors and spiritual traditions.

The term 万圣节 is used in various contexts related to Halloween:

• 万圣节前夜 (Wànshèngjié qiányè): Halloween eve
• 庆祝万圣节 (qìngzhù Wànshèngjié): To celebrate Halloween
• 万圣节服装 (Wànshèngjié fúzhuāng): Halloween costume

By understanding the original meaning of 万圣节, we can appreciate how the character’s structure reflects the festival’s historical and religious context within a Chinese cultural framework. It also highlights the adaptation of language to incorporate new cultural practices and celebrations.