Many of us have not learned how far back Halloween goes in history, but it’s a night of costumes, candy, and making pumpkins. The scary traditions we follow every October 31 come from beliefs and habits that are very old. This article discusses the frightening history behind current Halloween traditions and what scary symbols mean.
Ancient Beginnings: Samhain
The Celtic holiday of Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”) is where Halloween started more than 2,000 years ago. Samhain, which happened on November 1, marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, a time of year often linked to death. For the Celts, the night before the new year, the line between the living and the dead became less clear. People used to think that the ghosts of the dead came back to earth during Samhain and caused trouble and hurt crops. The Druids made massive sacred fires where people could burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic gods. This was done to make the spirits happy.
From Samhain to Halloween
As the Roman Empire took over Celtic lands, two Roman holidays were mixed with the Celtic holiday of Samhain. Feralia was the first. It was a day in late October when the Romans usually remembered the dead—the second day celebrated Pomona, the Roman goddess of trees and food. It is thought that this mixing is where the Halloween meaning of the apple came from, which is why people “bob” for apples.
Christian Influence and the Evolution of Halloween
Early Christianity spread to Celtic lands around the 9th century. Over time, it mixed with and replaced older Celtic rituals. The church made November 2, 1000 A.D., All Souls’ Day to remember the dead. Many people think the church was trying to replace the Celtic Festival of the Dead with a similar holiday that the church approved. People observed All Souls’ Day like Samhain: they had parades and big bonfires and dressed up as saints, angels, and devils. All Saints’ Day was also known as All-hallows or All-hallowmas, which comes from the Middle English word alholowmesse, which means “All Saints’ Day.” The night before, called Samhain in the Celtic faith, became known as All-Hallows Eve and Halloween.
Modern Traditions and Spooky Symbols
There is a historical meaning behind many of the traditional Halloween images and activities:
Jack-O’-Lanterns: They come from an Irish story about a man named Stingy Jack who tricked the devil and was sent to wander the world with only a carved-out turnip to guide him. When people came to the U.S., they found that pumpkins, a fruit that grows in the area, were great for carving.
Trick-or-treating: People used to “soul” people in England on Halloween (November 1) by knocking on doors and praying for the dead in return for food. This is where trick-or-treating comes from.
Costumes: Irish and European people have been dressed up in costumes for Halloween for a long time. A very long time ago, winter was a scary and unsure time. Food supplies were often low, and in many cultures, this was the time of year when ghosts were thought to be able to return to the living quickly. People wore masks and outfits to look like evil spirits or make them happy.
Final Thoughts
The holiday we now call Halloween comes from a mix of old superstitions, pagan traditions, and Christian traditions. Because of these different periods of history, many customs go beyond just trick-or-treating. It’s more fun to celebrate the thrills and chills of Halloween and the memories and traditions of those who came before us when you know the spooky history behind the symbols and activities.
As we cut pumpkins, dress up, and enjoy the scary festivities, remember the old celebrations and beliefs that helped make Halloween the fun holiday it is today. Have fun haunting!
