Carnival is a traditional festival that dates back to Europe.

The predecessor of Carnival is the English transliteration of the European and American "Carnival", which is equivalent to the Chinese "temple fair". It originated in ancient Egypt and later became the celebration of the Saturnalia in ancient Rome.

Over the years, the "Carnival" has gradually evolved from a traditional festival to a public entertainment event that includes large-scale amusement facilities and is supplemented by various cultural and artistic activities. There are a wide variety of carnivals all over the world and have become symbols of many cities.

The carnival originated from a story in the Bible: A devil trapped Jesus in the wilderness and did not give him food for 40 days. Although Jesus was hungry, he did not accept the temptation of the devil.

Later, in order to commemorate Jesus’ fast in the wilderness during these 40 days, believers used the 40 days before Easter as their days of fasting and repentance. During these 40 days, people were not allowed to eat meat. , entertainment, life is solemn and dull, so in the week or half a week before the start of Lent, people will hold banquets, dances, and parades to indulge in joy.

Extended information

Carnival (English: carnival), also translated as carnival, is an important festival that lasts for several weeks to several months. People dress up and parade around to celebrate, with a little street atmosphere. Party atmosphere.

Catholic and Orthodox churches do not celebrate this festival with rituals, but as civil activities for believers; while Protestants generally do not celebrate this festival, regardless of church or believers. The details of the celebration (such as time) vary depending on the customs of each country. The main celebrations are concentrated in February and March, but they usually end before the first day of Lent (Lent) - the first day of Lent (Ash Wednesday).

All Catholic holidays except Christmas are observed on Easter. Easter every year is the first full moon after the equinox in spring in the northern hemisphere (or autumn in the southern hemisphere). Sunday, 40 days back is Ash Wednesday of the Carnival.

The period from Ash Wednesday to 40 days before Easter is Lent according to the church calendar, so Carnival is also called "Melklen". During the entire 40 days of Lent, Catholics are prohibited from eating meat, entertainment, marriages and other festive activities. For this reason, people take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy themselves before the arrival of Lent.

Baidu Encyclopedia-Carnival