Title: Bonfire night??
Description: Is it just an English thing?
Hacky - November 1, 2005 09:26 PM (GMT)
I know that its Dival (sp) this time of year and they have fireworks, just wondering if other countries go all out for it too. It is sort of a pure english thing, mr Mr Guy Fawkes, when I lived in the US it wasnt a big deal, more of a 4th of July event.
Anyway anyone care to explain to me in more detail about what it is?
Tigerlily - November 2, 2005 09:59 AM (GMT)
Which night is Bonfire night?
Do you do this to welcome the new year or is that a different thing?
Cuz at midnight on December 31st we DO have lots and lots of fireworks. My brother always buys these HUGE things to light.
It's a pretty sight.
I have a feeling that's not what you meant.
So yeah, somebody please do explain. :hee:
earendil - November 2, 2005 05:35 PM (GMT)
I found this on the internet.
| QUOTE |
Guy Fawkes Night
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A bonfireGuy Fawkes Night, also known as Bonfire Night and Fireworks Night, is an annual celebration (but not a public holiday) on the evening of the 5th of November in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Africa, Newfoundland, Canada, some parts of the USA, and formerly Australia. It celebrates the failure of the Gunpowder Plot, in which a group of Catholic conspirators attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London on the night when Protestant King James I (James VI of Scotland) was within its walls - the evening of 5th November 1605. Some believe the proximity of the event to the pre-Christian festival of Samhain Eve and Halloween are notable, but it is generally agreed that this is a coincidence.
The celebrations, which take place in cities, towns and villages across the country, involve fireworks displays and the building of a bonfire, upon which is burnt an effigy representing the most famous of the conspirators, Guy Fawkes. Children build popular or humorous dummies and beg for money with the chant "penny for the guy" (the latter tradition is no longer as popular as it once was). The night is closely associated with the popular rhyme which begins:
Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot,
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
(For the full text of the rhyme, see the article on the Gunpowder Plot).
Despite the nature of the events commemorated, little political or sectarian significance is attached to Bonfire Night in modern times. The later verses of Remember, remember..., which express violent anti-Catholic sentiment, are not widely recalled. Bonfire night is now just as celebrated within Britain's Catholic communities. The once common practice of burning effigies of the Pope is now largely discontinued (except at Lewes, where the night has additional significance). |
If you want to know more, you can go
hereSo, we don't have bonfire night :lol:
Lofty - November 3, 2005 11:03 AM (GMT)
I would only think it was an English thing, :thinky: it used to be more popular but new laws and things make it harder to carry out, not to mention this is England so lots of rain. :hee:
For me I've always found it a little odd to be burning dummies shaped like humans for an event in which we are glad some one was killed. It seems morbid :(
earendil - November 3, 2005 12:18 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
| For me I've always found it a little odd to be burning dummies shaped like humans for an event in which we are glad some one was killed. It seems morbid |
We also burn dummies shaped like humans at the end of the carnaval.... I'm not sure why whe do that, there is also fireworks. :thinky:
Lofty - November 4, 2005 11:22 AM (GMT)
burn the evil dummies with life less looking eyes :DARK: :DARK: :DARK: :DARK: :DARK: :DARK: :DARK:
>W< or not. Maybe its a deep dark aspect of human nature that likes to see people or things which represent people being burnt at the stake.
earendil - November 4, 2005 07:14 PM (GMT)
I looked it up and I found out that the burning of the dummies symbolyses (is that how you spell it?) the old battles and problems. By burning the dummies we can start with a clean slate......
It still is weird.... They even name the dummies over here!
Mrs Monaghan - December 16, 2005 12:41 PM (GMT)
I love Bonfire Night!! My mum and dad took my sister to Albert Dock for the display this year, but my other sister was grounded, so I bought some sparlkers and Roman candles and stayed in with her, we stood in the front door with one eye on the telly waving the sparklers around like mad people! They took forever to light though...