Halloween is a very well known holiday among many citizens in the US, and even in foreign countries (such as Japan and Russia). Halloween (as you know) is a fun day where people get to express themselves as various people or occupations. Some choose to dress up as their favorite celebrity, idol, villain, or even their favorite food. But what exactly is Halloween? Who created this holiday? What was the motivation behind it? If you’ve ever wondered these questions, you’re in luck! I will explain everything there is to know about Halloween.
For starters, Halloween is also known as All Hallows’ Eve, or Allhalloween. The word Halloween itself is actually a mix of two words. “Hallow” means holy person, referring to the saints celebrated on All Saints’ Day (on Nov. 1). The “een” part is a contraction of eve, or “the evening before”.
Halloween once signified the observance of Allhallowtide; a time of year that’s dedicated to remembering the dead in a liturgical year*. Following Christian tradition, people start celebrating major feasts (holidays) the night before. Take Christmas Eve for example. So in short, Halloween is basically just “the night before All Saints’ Day”.
Historians have linked Halloween back in ancient times to Samhain; the Gaelic Celtic festival of the summer’s end. Samhain (pronounced saa-wn) is a festival that was celebrated in Ireland and Scotland over 2,000 years ago. It was said that the veil from the “Otherworld” and our world thinned, making it easier for spirits and the souls of the dead to return. People would make offerings of food and such to please the spirits of the spirits and departed ancestors. The festival would contain various games in order to predict one's future (usually regarding death and marriage). Some of the games include apple bobbing, mirror gazing, and many more. They would light special bonfires which were believed to have special cleansing powers, Some torches would be lit from the bonfire and carried throughout fields to protect them. They were intended to “keep away from the devil”.
Children and teens would go from house to house in costume to recite verses in exchange for food. Sound familiar? In the 18th century, pranksters would use hollowed-out turnips and carve out bizarre faces and use them as lanterns. Those who made them were known to either represent or ward off evil spirits. As time went on, in the 20th century they finally acquired the name “jack-o-lanterns”.
And now, Halloween is the festive “scary” day we all know and love. And know, you know the origins of it. Crazy how an ancient festival can transform into one of the most popularly celebrated holidays today. I mean it went from making offerings to spirits and creating bonfires to drive away spirits, to going from house-to-house in costumes and throwing parties. Well, I hope you all have a fun Halloween this year and receive a lot of candy!
*liturgical year - a calendar used in Christian churches to follow the birth, life, and death of Jesus.
*Fun Fact: John Carpenter’s 1978 horror film “Halloween” was released on Oct. 25th!