Today’s vision of Halloween is of children dressing up in fancy dress costumes and masks, knocking on doors and extorting sweets from kindly neighbours who would rather avoid the “tricks” being threatened by the local “demons”. But where did all this come from?
Celtic Origins
Halloween is said to originate from a Celtic celebration, Samhain” (pronounced sah-wen or sow-in), that took place around 2,000 years ago in the region now covered by the United Kingdom, Ireland and France. The modern name, traditionally spelt Hallowe’en, is an abbreviated form of “All Hallows Eve”, the evening before the festival of All Hallows, a Christian holiday that commemorated the passing of saints and martyrs.
The pagan festival of Samhain celebrated the Celtic New Year which started on 1st November, dividing the Lighter Half of the Year from the Darker Half. It was believed that at Samhain, the boundary between the living and dead became blurred. It was a time to honour passed spirits, both good and bad. Folks would dress up in costumes and masks, disguising themselves as harmful spirits in order to protect themselves.
Bonfires were an integral part of Samhain. Livestock would sometimes be slaughtered and their bones thrown on the fire. Food and drink also played a major part in the festivities.
The Catholic Church Gets In On the Action
The Catholic Church, mindful of the pagan celebrations, decided to take action. Popes Gregory III and Gregory IV moved the Christian All Saints’ Day from 13th May to 1st November. Thus Hallowe’en became accepted by Christian folk and was celebrated accordingly.
Halloween Today
Halloween has been celebrated for many years in the United States and is probably the most widely celebrated holiday other than Christmas. Children dress as monsters and ghouls and wander the streets, knocking on doors, demanding “Trick or Treat”. This practice has only caught on in the United Kingdom during the past twenty years.
Rights and Wrongs
Proponents of Halloween argue that it is just harmless fun. Others have concerns regarding allowing children to roam the streets, begging at strangers’ houses. Older residents can feel intimidated or threatened. The practice of begging door-to-door is believed to have originated in Ireland when farming folk would knock on doors, asking for food for local feasts and materials for bonfires. Those generous enough to give were greeted with promises of good fortune; others were threatened with bad luck. The mass migration of Irish Catholics to the United States in the nineteenth century brought “Trick or Treat” to American streets.
Is Halloween Evil?
Some religious leaders are concerned that Halloween trivialises the occult in the eyes of children. Many people refuse to believe that the Devil exists. Christians, on the other hand, conclude that Satan is very real and some believe that he uses supposed trivialities, such as Halloween, Tarot Cards and even the ubiquitous horoscope to lure unsuspecting victims into eternity separated from God.
What’s the Verdict?
So, what message should be taken from Halloween? Clearly it has its origins in paganism. The Catholic Church tried to turn Halloween in to a religious festival. Halloween is now clearly a very important secular holiday, with all the merchandising that comes with it and modern Christians try to distance themselves from the perceived satanic connection.
One thing is clear. The way people celebrate Halloween is deeply rooted in its Celtic origins.
Further reading:
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