The origins of Halloween go back as far as
800BC. The Irish Celts celebrated Samhain at
the end of October to celebrate the end of the
summer season, to give thanks for the season of
harvest and to honor the dead. The Celts believed
that the souls of the dead could return to roam
freely among the living in search of a living body to
possess, usually a black cat. To discourage the
spirits, villagers would dress up in costumes and
walk around hoping to frighten them away. They
would also make bonfires to encourage the sun to
return the next year. The villagers would keep an
ember from the bonfire for good luck and take it
home in a turnip with a scary face carved on it.
The scary face was carved to protect them from
the spirits on their walk home.
All Hallows Eve, the night before All Saints Day,
originated from the Catholics. All Saints Day was
created for saints who did not already have a day
to honor them. The word "hallow" is an old word for
"saint."
Later on, All Souls Day was created to honor all
faithful Christians, not just saints. On this day,
people would go from door to door to ask for "soul
cakes" and, in return, they would pray for their
dead relatives.
Halloween in North America flourished after early
immigrants from Scotland and Ireland brought with
them traditions of Samhain, All Hallows Eve and All
Saints Day. They would carve jack-o-lanterns, tell
ghost stories, dress up in scary costumes and go
from door to door begging for treats. Halloween is
celebrated all over the world, but not to the extent
that it is in the United States and Canada.
Today, Halloween is definitely an American
tradition and is only rivaled by Christmas in terms
of retail sales. Most Americans hand out candy to
trick-or-treaters, dress up in scary or funny
costumes and go to costume parties.
It's definitely the best holiday of the year!
800BC. The Irish Celts celebrated Samhain at
the end of October to celebrate the end of the
summer season, to give thanks for the season of
harvest and to honor the dead. The Celts believed
that the souls of the dead could return to roam
freely among the living in search of a living body to
possess, usually a black cat. To discourage the
spirits, villagers would dress up in costumes and
walk around hoping to frighten them away. They
would also make bonfires to encourage the sun to
return the next year. The villagers would keep an
ember from the bonfire for good luck and take it
home in a turnip with a scary face carved on it.
The scary face was carved to protect them from
the spirits on their walk home.
All Hallows Eve, the night before All Saints Day,
originated from the Catholics. All Saints Day was
created for saints who did not already have a day
to honor them. The word "hallow" is an old word for
"saint."
Later on, All Souls Day was created to honor all
faithful Christians, not just saints. On this day,
people would go from door to door to ask for "soul
cakes" and, in return, they would pray for their
dead relatives.
Halloween in North America flourished after early
immigrants from Scotland and Ireland brought with
them traditions of Samhain, All Hallows Eve and All
Saints Day. They would carve jack-o-lanterns, tell
ghost stories, dress up in scary costumes and go
from door to door begging for treats. Halloween is
celebrated all over the world, but not to the extent
that it is in the United States and Canada.
Today, Halloween is definitely an American
tradition and is only rivaled by Christmas in terms
of retail sales. Most Americans hand out candy to
trick-or-treaters, dress up in scary or funny
costumes and go to costume parties.
It's definitely the best holiday of the year!
| American Halloween info |
