Halloween has something for everyone: there are costumes for those who love to dress up, horror movies and haunted houses for adrenaline junkies, and pounds upon pounds of candy for sweet tooths. It has undeniably been a favorite holiday for many. However, all of these seemingly random traditions beg the question: how did this holiday come about?
According to the Library of Congress, Halloween was born from a Pagan holiday. A Celtic festival known as Samhain (pronounced SAH-win) was a celebration to welcome the harvest at the end of summer. The end of summer also marked the beginning of harsh winter, a season commonly associated with death. As stated by HISTORY, the Celts believed that on October 31, when they celebrated Samhain, the line between the world of living and the world of the dead became blurred, and ghosts walked the earth. Later on in the eighth century, Pope Gregory III created All Saints Day on November 1st, and people quickly began to include some of Samhain’s practices. The day before All Saints Day was known as All Hallows Eve, whose name was a precursor to the name “Halloween” used today. Beyond just its name, each Halloween tradition we practice today stems from another tradition from the past.
The scary costumes sported by individuals today come from the ancient fear of the spirits walking around during Samhain. In order to avoid them, Celts would wear unique costumes so as not to be mistaken for a spirit themselves and be left alone. Many superstitions pertaining to Halloween, such as black cats, have to do with the Devil considering that the holiday’s origins were so rooted in religion. In the Middle Ages, moreover, black cats were considered a symbol of the Devil. When many accused witches were found with cats in their possession, the belief that the cats were supernatural entities equipped with dark magic quickly took hold among the masses.
The traditions of Halloween are ever changing still. It is undeniable that holidays adjust to new generations as they are passed on. One can learn a great deal about history by looking at customs and superstitions that they typically neglect. As Halloween becomes more widespread each year, more people have the opportunity to participate in the fun. Hopefully this holiday never goes away, so kids can enjoy their choice of Reese’s, lollipops, and Skittles on October 31st for generations to come!
