Top 7 most exciting pagan festivals in the world

Pagan festivals are celebrations that are not motivated by any of the major monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The term "pagan" was used at the end of our era by the first Christians in southern Europe. It was used to refer to those who practised other kinds of rituals and ceremonies that did not conform to those imposed by the Christian church.

Pagans did not believe in the one, true God. They were atheists and polytheists, or they used rituals to pay homage to nature gods, usually at harvest time, to ward off evil spirits and superstitions, or just for fun. Many of these rituals have survived to the present day in the form of festivals and traditions. In most cases, however, these festivals have lost the character of offerings or superstitions and have become an integral part of folk folklore.

Carnival

Carnival is one of the most colourful and popular celebrations in Western culture, rooted in the ancient traditions of Greek and Roman civilisations. In ancient Greece, Carnival was dedicated to Dionysus, the god of wine, and was celebrated with raucous feasts and merry processions. In Rome, the festival was dedicated to Saturn, the god of agriculture, and included sacrifices and feasts in honour of the god Bacchus, with men spending the day in drunken revelry. Originally, the dates of these celebrations coincided with modern Christmas, but the Catholic Church moved carnival to the period before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent, a time of strict abstinence from meat for 40 days.

The term "carnival" itself is closely related to this tradition and comes from the Italian word "carnevale," which literally means "to put away meat." Carnival celebrations vary from region to region, each giving the festivities their own unique characteristics. In Brazil, for example, Carnival is famous for its grand parades, colourful costumes and the rousing rhythms of samba, while in Venice it is known for its elegant masks and costume balls that create an atmosphere of medieval magic.

Halloween

One of the most popular holidays in North America and in some Anglo-Saxon countries such as Ireland and the UK. Gradually, this holiday has spread to other parts of the world as a result of globalisation. Despite the influence of the Christian calendar and the celebration of All Saints Day, this holiday has pagan roots. Halloween was associated with the harvest and the Roman tradition of Pomona, the goddess of fruit.

The interest in the supernatural stems from Celtic tradition and the holiday of Samhain or Samhain, when the line between the two worlds narrows, letting in both good and evil spirits. One of the reasons for the holiday, according to Celtic tradition, is to ward off these evil spirits.

Today, this holiday has evolved into a festival where people dress up, usually in costumes of scary characters, have parties and parades, carve pumpkins (Jack O'Lantern), and children go from house to house asking for sweets using the famous "trick or treat". During these same days, the Day of the Dead is celebrated in Mexico, where there is a curious view of death. Altars with offerings are set up in Mexico to honour those who have passed away.

Winter solstice

Celebrating the arrival of winter occurs in almost every country in the world. What we now call Christmas, although a religious holiday, has many pagan elements.
One of the most notable festivals celebrated on the winter solstice is the Inti Raymi or Festival of the Sun, which is held in Cusco, Peru. This ritual of Inca origin is a tribute to the sun god, who is sacrificed to obtain a good harvest and the Inca emperor. Through this ceremony, the ancient Incas feared that the sun would not return and prayed for its return. Today, this holiday is considered the second largest in South America.

Summer solstice

There are also evenings that celebrate the arrival of summer. The most famous of these celebrations is the Fiesta de San Juan. Although today it is considered a Christian holiday, its origins and rituals are pagan, beginning with the Lita or summer solstice. It was celebrated on 21 June, the day of the onset of summer, but was changed to San Juan Day with the adoption of Christianity.

Nowadays, the holiday consists of lighting bonfires, which, according to their pagan origins, are used to ward off evil spirits and purify oneself from within. San Juan is celebrated in many European countries, including Spain, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Spain, Denmark and Estonia. In Poland and Ukraine, this ritual is known as the Feast of Ivan Kupala. Outside of Europe, there are similar holidays, such as the Junin Festival in Latin America.

Holi or Festival of colours

Holi is a Hindu festival that welcomes spring and is celebrated the day after the first full moon in February or March. Although it is religious in nature as it is typical of Hinduism, it is still considered pagan as it does not belong to Christianity, Judaism or Islam. Holi opens with the lighting of a bonfire on the night of the full moon when everyone comes together. This festival, held in India, Nepal and other countries outside Asia, is also known as the festival of colour: one of the rituals is to sprinkle coloured powders on the bonfire to spread joy among everyone. Elephants also play an important role in this festival. The animals are decorated and participate in races and other games.

New Year's Eve

The celebration of New Year's Eve, although in the religious tradition of many countries it is organised as part of the Christmas celebrations, has pagan roots as its purpose is nothing but to celebrate the beginning of a new annual calendar. New Year's Day is celebrated on the last day of the year according to the Gregorian calendar. Customs vary greatly depending on the country in which the holiday is celebrated, although one element of the holiday that coincides in almost all countries is fireworks, toasts with champagne or other sparkling drinks, and a festive atmosphere.

In Spain and Venezuela, it is traditional to pick twelve grapes on New Year's Eve, and in Chile, for example, rituals and bondages to attract good luck in the New Year are common. Other countries, such as Germany, play guess the future with a ritual involving molten lead, which is left to dry and you must try to determine its shape. Depending on what number is formed, that's what the new year will be. This game is known as Bleigiessen.

Chinese lantern festival

One of the most memorable New Year's celebrations in the world is the Lantern Festival, also known as the Chinese Lantern Festival. This tradition, which originated over 2,000 years ago, represents the end of the Lunar New Year celebrations. During this bright and colourful event, thousands of people launch glowing lanterns into the sky to symbolise the return of guests to the festivities. These lights not only create a mesmerising spectacle, but are also a source of harmony and unity for the year ahead.

The lanterns, made with skilful craftsmanship, are usually made of thin rice paper, which makes them light and airy, while a bamboo support provides the necessary rigidity to the structure. The moment the lanterns rise into the sky, they turn into real stars that shine above the heads of festival-goers, creating an atmosphere of magic and togetherness.

Conclusion

Filled with magic, fun and deep symbolism, these festivals open doors to the past, showing how people of different eras and cultures have expressed their connection to nature and the universe. Whether you are a cultural traveller or simply looking for a new adventure, attending one of these amazing events will allow you to immerse yourself in a whirlwind of tradition and experience unforgettable moments of joy and unity.