Halloween is upon us! It’s that time of year again for elaborate costumes and trick or treating. But why do we actually celebrate Halloween? Where did the holiday originate from and what does Halloween mean?
Here's the lowdown:
What day does Halloween fall on?
Traditionally known as All Hallows’ Evening, Halloween falls on October 31. It is always the eve of Christian festival All Saints’ Day on November 1.
Dating back to European traditions, Halloween originated from the ancient Gaelic festival, Samhain. It was a day to celebrate the end of the harvest season – it means “summer's end”.
Historically Gaels thought the walls between the spiritual realm and our world were thin. In order to protect their crops, they would set up places at their dinner tables for good spirits and light bonfires to scare off evil spirits.
Trick or treating and dressing up came from 16th Century Ireland, Scotland and Wales. People would ask for food in exchange for a poem or song. People dressed up in scary costumes and impersonated the souls of the dead to protect themselves.
Why do we celebrate it?
Halloween became commercialised over time from the influences of pop culture and is celebrated by both children and adults, whether they are going to parties or carving pumpkins.
Trick or treating was coined by the Americans, who evolved the British tradition of “souling” or “guising” to the main event for children as we know it today.
Source: standard
Hello, my name is Jack Sparrow. I'm a 50 year old self-employed Pirate from the Caribbean.
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