What are the origins of this fun-filled festive custom?
When Jack dies, God won't let him into heaven and the Devil won't let him into hell. His spirit roams the Earth, with a burning piece of coal in a carved-out turnip. He became known as Jack of the Lantern, then simply Jack-o'-lantern.
Bonfires were a big part of celebrations, as they were thought to help ward off the darkness of evil spirits. It was also recognized that fire, as the earthly counterpart of the Sun, would be important during the winter months as the days grew darker.
The ancient Celts believed the veil between this world and the Otherworld, where spirits resided, was thinnest at this time.
Samhain (pronounced sow-in) was a festival held to mark the beginning of winter in Ireland. It's thought to have been the most important feast, along with Bealtaine (bal-tannah), which marked the beginning of summer.
Food was prepared for the living and the dead. Offerings played an important part in the festival, as the souls of the departed were thought to return, looking for hospitality.
Divination and fortune-telling were popular activities during Samhain. In Scotland, women tossed hazelnuts into the fire, each representing one of her suitors. The one that burned was the one she would marry.
As Samhain happened during a liminal time, it was thought that fairies, known as aos sí, had easier access to this world.
Celebrated on October 31, Halloween happens on the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Saints' Day. However, it has roots in ancient traditions going back centuries.
It was said if a girl looked into a mirror at Samhain, she might see the face of the man she would marry. But she could see the Devil instead!
Candy corn originated in the 1800s and had associations with fall, when corn was harvested. It became Halloween specific in the 1950s, when trick-or-treating surged in popularity.
Barmbrack is a cake in Ireland that is eaten around Halloween. A ring is hidden in the loaf, and it's said the person who finds it will marry within a year. If the finder places the ring under their pillow, they will dream of their future husband!
Later tradition, from the 16th century onwards, involved wearing disguises. It was thought that by disguising yourself as one of the evil spirits who roamed around at Samhain, you could protect yourself from them.
Apples were central to harvest celebrations, going back to the Roman festival of Pomona. Candy apples became an accidental Halloween treat in 1908. A candymaker in New Jersey was concocting a new Christmas treat and dipped apples in the glaze, which customers found more appealing than the candies themselves!
Halloween permeated pop culture a long time ago, with countless movies and TV shows set along spooky season themes. What's more, Halloween movies have a history of being box-office hits.
Sources: (History) (Britannica) (World History) (Newgrange)
See also: The dark and creepy origins of classic fairy tales
Apple bobbing dates back to the Roman invasion of Britain, having later merged with the Samhain tradition of divining. Historically, unmarried maidens would bob for apples to see who would marry next, or who their future husband would be. The game is a popular Halloween activity even today.
By the 1920s and '30s, Halloween had become a secular holiday. By the 1950s, trick-or-treating was a way for communities to share the Halloween celebration. A new American tradition was born, that continues to influence the rest of the world to this day.
When Irish and Scottish immigrants went to the US, they brought their customs and traditions with them. These merged with other immigrants' customs and traditions, to develop into the secular Halloween we know today.
There is evidence to suggest these rituals took place in Ireland, Flanders (Belgium), Bavaria (Germany), and Tyrol (Italy). The word Halloween derives from "All Hallows' Eve," as All Saints Day was also referred to as All Hallows' Day.
As Christianity spread, Church leaders sought to replace pagan festivals with Christian ones. Attempts to remove Samhain celebrations didn't work. Instead, Pope Gregory IV declared November 1 All Saints' Day in the 9th century.
November 2 became All Souls' Day, after its institution at a French monastery that spread across Europe, in the 10th century. By the 12th century, All Saints' Day was a holy day of obligation. Candles called "soul lights" were lit in remembrance of the dead to guide their spirits home on All Saints' Day. On All Souls' Day, lights were placed at the graves of the dead.
Trick-or-treating blends the "guising" by Irish and Scottish children, who went door to door for food or coins, and the "souling" of English Christian custom, where people would go door to door for "soulcakes," in exchange for prayers.
Halloween occurs during the harvesting part of the year, midway between the fall equinox and the winter solstice. To the Celtic people of places like Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and parts of France, it was the beginning of a new year.
It was later recorded that the Samhain celebrations lasted a week. As part of Samhain celebrations, gatherings took place with feasting and plenty of alcohol.
Contests took place, marking the end of the harvest season. Livestock like cattle, that had been led to upland pastures in summer, were returned at this time. Druid priests lit a community fire using a wheel, supposed to symbolize the Sun.
In Ireland and Scotland, people carved scary faces into turnips and potatoes, placing them in windows to scare evil spirits away. When these immigrants reached the US, they found pumpkins made perfect jack-o'-lanterns!
The practice originated in Ireland from the story of Stingy Jack. In the tale, Jack invites the Devil for a drink but he doesn't want to pay. Jack tricks the Devil, trapping him in the form of a coin used to pay for the drinks.
Samhain is mentioned in the earliest Early Irish literature, which dates back to 9 CE. Annually at this time, peace was declared, huge gatherings would be held, and new laws were established.
Pumpkins were a minor crop in the US until after World War II. As trick-or-treating soared in popularity, supply needed to meet demand. The pumpkin patch became an opportunity for economic prosperity.
The dead were honored at Samhain. At a time when nature was 'dying,' it was fitting to pay tribute to those who had passed on, too.
The souls of thankful kin were believed to deliver blessings to loved ones who looked after them, during harder days of winter.
The Celts believed the veil between this world and the Otherworld was thinnest at this time, so spirits—both good and evil—would roam the Earth. It was necessary to frighten the bad ones away, while making the most of the opportunity to communicate with crossed-over loved ones. As a result, disguise and divination became customary. We know what came after!
Intrigued? Then click on the following gallery to learn more about the roots of Halloween.
Where does Halloween come from?
The Celtic roots of spooky season celebrations
LIFESTYLE Traditions
Carving faces into pumpkins, wearing costumes, playing games, trick or treating—for many, Halloween is a reminder of childhood. Spooky stories told around the fire, scary movies, and lots of candy: what's not to like? But did you know Halloween has its roots as a pagan festival, Samhain, celebrated to honor the souls of the dead?
The Celts believed the veil between this world and the Otherworld was thinnest at this time, so spirits—both good and evil—would roam the Earth. It was necessary to frighten the bad ones away, while making the most of the opportunity to communicate with crossed-over loved ones. As a result, disguise and divination became customary. We know what came after!
Intrigued? Then click on the following gallery to learn more about the roots of Halloween.