Halloween is a celebration with an interesting and complex history, steeped in superstition and supernatural happenings.. Halloween is an observance that dates back thousands of years, to ancient Celtic rituals. Halloween is often associated with images of otherworldly and supernatural creatures, such as witches and ghosts.
Today Halloween is observed in a lighthearted way that is only slightly reminiscent of the deeper celebrations of the Celtic and Roman times. Many of the traditions that are observed today, have origins that go back as far as 2,000 years. Customs such as wearing costumes, bonfires, bobbing for apples and jack-o-lanterns all have historical origins.
Ancient Celtic Festival Samhain
The origin of Halloween, according to History.com goes back to an ancient Celtic festival called Samhain. 2,000 years ago, the Celts lived in the area now known as Ireland, the United Kingdom and Northern France. The Celts celebrated their new year on November 1. They believed that this marked the end of summer and the beginning of the cold. dark winter. The winter was the time of year associated with death. The Celts believed that on the eve of the new year, October 31, the worlds of the living and dead became blurred. The otherworldly spirits were believed to cause trouble and damage crops. Celts believed that the presence of spirits made it easier for the Celtic priests, or Druids, to predict the future. Druids built huge bonfires. People gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities.
The Celts wore costumes during the celebration, usually consisting of animal heads and hides.
Roman Festivals of Feralia and Pomona
The Romans conquered the Celts by AD 43 and ruled the Celtic lands for 400 years. Two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain. The festivals were Feralia and Pomona. Feralia was a day that commemorated the passing of the dead. Pomona honored the Roman goddess of fruit and trees.
The symbol of Pomona is the apple. The incorporation of Pomona probably accounts for the tradition of bobbing for apples.
All Saints Day
The influence of Christianity spread into Celtic lands in the 7th century. Pope Boniface IV designated November 1 All Saints Day. All Saints Day honored the saints and martyrs. It is believed that the Pope was trying to replace the Celtic festival with a related, church sanctioned holiday. The celebration was called All-hallows of All-hallowmas. In AD 1000 the church made November 2 All Souls' Day.
The three celebrations, including the Eve of All Saints', All Saints' and All Souls' were together called Hallomas.
Anoka, Minnesota "Halloween Capital of the World"
The first American citywide Halloween celebration was in Anoka, Minnesota in 1921. Anoka now calls itself "Halloween Capital of the World" The story, according to the Anoka website, is that Anoka city officials looked for a Halloween diversion because youngsters pulled pranks, such as soaping windows or tipping over outhouses. The Anoka City officials scheduled a parade. After the parade hundreds of bags of popcorn, candy, peanuts and other treats were given away to the children who marched in the parade. Afterwards, everybody was invited to a large bonfire. Anoka continues the tradition of the night parade to this day, with units from all over the Midwest marching in it.
Halloween customs have changed dramatically over the years. Today Halloween is treated as a light holiday, with children walking the neighborhood and trick or treating. Halloween parties are increasingly popular for children and adults.
The Legend of the Jack-O-Lantern
Halloween is a boon for the pumpkin industry. Carved pumpkins are a common sight in windows and yards on Halloween. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, one billion pounds of pumpkins are produced in the United States, with a value of $101 million. Illinois is the leader in pumpkin production, followed by California, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Each of these states produce at least 100 million pounds of pumpkins. Many of these pumpkins become Halloween Jack-O-Lanterns. The legend of the Jack-O-Lantern, according to Pumpkin Nook,, is that an unsavory character, named Jack, tricked the devil into not claiming his soul. When Jack died he was not accepted into either heaven or hell. He asked the devil how he could see, because it was dark. The devil tossed him a burning ember from hell.
Jack stuck the burning coal into a hollowed out turnip and began to wander the earth with this turnip lantern, thus the origin of the pumpkin Jack-O-Lantern.
Halloween is a holiday that children and adults look forward to with anticipation. Today, most people look forward to Halloween as a time to dress in colorful, imaginative costumes and to party. The origins of Halloween are much more dark and mysterious, steeped in superstition and religious beliefs.
Resources:
U.S. Census Bureau
Pumpkin Nook
History.com
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