The Origins of Halloween: A Fascinating History

Have you ever wondered about the history of Halloween traditions? This blog post will look at Halloween's history and explore some of its origins; Why is it celebrated on October 31st? What makes a carved pumpkin an iconic symbol of Halloween? And why are ghosts associated with this holiday? Read on to find out!

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Sep 20, 2022

The Origins of Halloween

Halloween, or All Hallows' Eve, is thought to have originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. It's a festival that marks the end of the harvest and signifies the start of the darker time of the year. Samhain occurs on November 1st, but celebrations begin in the evening of October 31st because the Celtic day starts and ends at sunset. During Samhain, the veil between our world and the spirit realm is at its thinnest, making it easier for ghosts and other supernatural beings to cross over into our world. During Samhain, the Celts would light bonfires and wear costumes to resemble the visiting spirits and hopefully protect them from harm or mischief. The name Halloween is a contraction of All Hallows Evening, the evening before the Christian holy days of All Hallows' Day (also known as Hallowmas) on November 1st.

Why Do We Carve Pumpkins?

Samhain was a time to reflect on the past year and prepare for the winter months ahead. Part of the preparations for Samhain included carving turnips or gourds into lanterns. These lanterns were then placed outside homes and used to frighten off evil spirits. Irish immigrants brought their traditions and culture to America in the 1800s and found pumpkins were more plentiful than turnips and easier to carve. As a result, pumpkins quickly became the vegetable of choice for Halloween lanterns. And so, the jack-o'-lantern we know about today was born!

Some people think the traditional Irish tale of Stingy Jack is related to jack-o'-lanterns. According to legend, Stingy Jack was a scoundrel, drunk and a master manipulator. He encountered and outwitted the devil on two occasions and struck a deal with the devil to ensure he was not trapped in hell when he died. When Jack died, he was denied entry from heaven and hell and cursed to roam the world between the planes of good and evil, with only an ember inside a hollowed turnip to light his way.

The Origins of Apple Bobbing

One of the most popular Halloween traditions is apple bobbing. Its origins stretch back to the Roman invasion of Britain, where the conquering Romans combined their celebrations with the Celts. In Celtic tradition, apples symbolised rebirth and were buried during Samhain festivities as food for souls waiting to be born. When apple bobbing, young men and women would compete to see who could bite into an apple floating in a bucket of water without using their hands; the winner would be the next person to get married. Over time, the tradition has become more about having fun, and nowadays, people of all ages enjoy apple bobbing at Halloween parties.

The History of Guising, or Trick or Treating

Guising has been a part of Halloween celebrations for centuries, and the tradition of guising made its way to America with Irish and Scottish immigrants. By the late 19th century, guising had become common in many parts of the United States. When guising, children would go door to door collecting treats such as sweets, fruits, nuts or money in return for a trick, reciting a poem, or performing a skit, dance or song. They would don costumes and wear masks to help them blend in with any evil spirits that might also be walking the streets.

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