The Origins Of Halloween

Pumpkin

Ever wondered how Halloween came about? Then look no further as here we will explain all you need to know about the origins of Halloween and how it has developed into the celebration of today. Halloween is by far more popular in some countries than others, for example it is commonplace in America for people to go all out and decorate their homes for the ultimate spooky experience. It is also popular to see many children out trick or treating. Although Halloween is a popular celebration across the pond it doesn’t really have that status here in England. Yes you may see a few trick or treaters, someone may have a party or it is used as a great excuse to dress up and carve a few pumpkins. Contrary to many beliefs Halloween does not originate in America, it actually comes from the old Celtic tradition of Samhain.

The Festival Of Samhain

Samhain Bonfire

In ancient time times the Celts celebrated their new year on 1st November, as this was the time of the year when it was considered the summer had ended and the cold harsh winters set in. The festival celebrated the end of the summer, the harvest and the beginning of the darker days and longer nights. Winter was the time of year that was associated with more human deaths and the Celts believed that the night before the new year (31st October) the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead was at its thinnest. They believed that this was the time of the year when the souls of the dead could cross back and return to the living world. The Celts believed that these ghosts who returned damage their crops, but make it easier for the druids and Celtic priests to make predictions about the future. These visions from the priests were important to the people as they relied on the natural word for survival. Huge bonfires were built and crops were burnt and animals sacrificed to the deities became the tradition of commemorating the event. During these celebrations people dressed up in costumes and attempted to tell the fortunes of others. When their celebration was over the people lit their home fires with a torch from the main sacred bonfire in hope that this would bring them good luck and protection for the upcoming winter.

How Samhain Became Halloween As We Know It

Apple Bobbing

When the romans had conquered most of the Celtic territory and over a period of 400 years they combined the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain with their own celebrations of Feralia and Pomona. Feralia was a day in late October where the romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead and Pomona was a day to celebrate the goddess of fruit and trees. As the apple is the typical symbol of Pomona, combined with the festival of Samhain, this suggests the origins of apple bobbing practiced in our Halloween celebrations today. When the Pantheon in Rome was dedicated in honour to all Christian martyrs a catholic feast of all martyrs day was established in the western church. This celebration was then later expanded to include that of all saints as well. The date of the celebration was then moved from May 13th to November 1st. Over time the influence of Christianity made its way to the Celtic lands which blended with the older Celtic rites. The church then made November 2nd all souls day, which was known as a day to honour all the dead. This all souls day had a similar way to celebrating as Samhain including bonfires, costumes, and parades. The term all saints was also referred to as all-hallows or all-hallomans, with the night before (the traditional day to celebrate Samhain) becoming known as all hallows eve which eventually through the years developed into the word Halloween. So traditionally Halloween is a night to celebrate the souls of the dead and their return to the living worlds. Although Halloween has become something quite different today the roots of the meaning are still there and it has become a time for all to have fun, dress up and connect with the spirit world.

Trick Or Treating

Trick Or Treating

Trick or treating is a common event on Halloween with kids going from house to house in search of sweets and treats, dressed in their costumes. It is thought that the tradition of trick or treating also originated from British shores as back during the early all souls day parades, poor people would go from house to house begging for food. During the festivities poor people would beg for food and families would give them pastries in exchange for a promise to pray for the family’s dead relatives. This is more than likely the main evolvement to trick or treating, as we know it today. Although trick or treating today has nothing to do with class or wealth it still holds the value of giving, be it in the form of sweets or money. It has been said that people would reward the children with sweets to avoid any tricks being played on them, and it’s a great way to get the whole community involved too. Surprisingly Halloween only made its way over to America as early as the 19th century and since then has become a major celebration of the year. By the late 1800s Halloween was encouraged as a social holiday and was typically celebrated with parties for both adults and children and pretty much lost most of its religious and superstitious value. You will typically see whole streets and towns decorated with spooky ornaments, carved pumpkins and trick or treaters.