Every year on the evening of October 31st, streets across the country are filled with costumed children, lit up jack-o-lanterns, and spooky decorations. The classic activities of dressing up, bobbing for apples, lighting bonfires, and eating treats, stems from ancient traditions that have been passed on for hundreds of years.
Halloween originated during the Celtic festival, Samhain (pronounced sow-in.) The Celts lived in central Europe in the 5th century BC during the ancient times in current day Ireland. They celebrated their New Year on November 1st which for them marked the beginning of harvest and of the dark and cold time that was often associated with death. It was said that on the night before New Year, there was no barrier when it came to the living and the dead, meaning that on this day, spirits roamed free. On October 31st, the Celtic priests and the Druids (religious leaders) believed that the presence of these spirits made it easier for priests to foresee the future. To celebrate this event, Druids built a sacred bonfire used to burn crops and offer up animals for sacrifice. During this celebration, the Celts wore costumes consisting of animal heads to ward off evil spirits and attempted to tell each other’s future. Americans celebrate Halloween due to its fun traditions of collecting candy and dressing up in costumes. The holiday traditions came to America through the immigration of Irish and Scottish settlers that came to America. The Americans, along with their own traditions, began to celebrate Halloween.
History of trick or treating:
Inspired by Europeans, Americans began to dress up in costumes and scurry from house to house asking for food or money. The impoverished folks would visit the houses of wealthier ones and receive pastries which were called soul cakes, in exchange, they would pray for the homeowners “dead relatives.”
How “Halloween” got its name:
The name Halloween comes from “All Hallows’ Eve” which was the evening before “All Hallows’ Day” or “All Saint’s Day” (November 1st). The name “All Hallows’ Eve” was shortened to “All Hallows’ Even” and eventually to “Hallowe’en” by the 16th century. All Hallows’ Eve is the evening of Halloween, which is a vigil for All Saints’ Day which is a Christian feast on November 1st, honoring all saints. Halloween is a combination of Christian and Pagan traditions including Samhain.
Popular ancient rituals practiced on Halloween:
A famous ritual was performed by young women on Halloween night which included the use of mirrors, yarn, and apples. The young woman would gaze into a mirror with the only source of light being a candle, and perform other tasks like eating an apple or walking backwards in an attempt to catch a glimpse of her future husband. The “Blue Chew” was another popular ritual practiced on Halloween night. A girl would throw a ball of yarn out of her bedroom window while holding onto the loose end. When she felt a tug on the string, she would yell out, “who holds?” and the voice of her future husband would respond. These practices originate in rural Ireland and Scotland.
From the ancient Celtic roots, to today’s modern Halloween customs, the holiday has evolved and has been carried through many generations with the same traditions. What started as a way to honor the dead and keep spirits away has become a fun, creepy and spooky holiday we celebrate today.
Resources:
