History of Halloween
Halloween is celebrated each year on October 31, and it is eagerly anticipated by one and all. Every kid knows how the festival is celebrated, with Halloween costumes, parties, bonfires, jack-o-lanterns, trick-or-treat, and tons of candy. But did you ever stop and wonder how this beloved holiday started? The history of Halloween goes back to ancient times, and the Halloween traditions that we practice today are influenced by Celtic, Roman, and Catholic rituals as well as European folk traditions.
Celtic Roots
Halloween is rooted in the Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced “sow-ain”), which celebrates the end of summer and the harvest season in Gaelic culture. The celebration lasted for 3 days. Ancient Celts believed that on the night of Samhain the spirits of the dead returned to earth. To ward off these evil spirits and ghosts, the ancient Celts lit bonfires and they wore costumes to confuse the spirits. People also left out food and other offerings to appease the spirits. Soon, people started wearing costumes of spirits and went from door to door to collect the offerings. This is probably how trick-or-treating started.
Roman Influence
When the Romans conquered the Celts in 43 A.D., two Roman festivals were combined with Samhain. Feralia, in late October, was celebrated to commemorate the passing of the dead. The second Roman festival was celebrated to honor Pomona, goddess of trees and fruit. The apple was the symbol of Pomona, and this may explain the Halloween tradition of bobbing for apples.
Next Stop: Christianity
With the rise of Christianity, the Catholic Church tried to put a stop to this pagan festival, with little success. As the wise old saying goes, “If you can’t beat them, join them.” Acting shrewdly, the church turned the 3 days of Samhain into a Christian celebration, naming the days All Hallows Eve (now called Halloween), All Hallows or All Saints Day, and All Souls’ Day. These days fall on October 31, November 1, and November 2.
As the years passed, the religious aspects of Halloween dwindled away and by the 19th century it was generally celebrated as a secular holiday. People continued to dress up in costumes; this time not to confuse the dead but more for fun and entertainment.
Trick-or-Treating
It wouldn’t be Halloween without trick-or-treat. History tells us that this beloved Halloween tradition was practiced in early England when the rich would parade down the street on All Soul’s Day and throw pastries called soul cakes to the poor citizens lining the sides of the street. In exchange for the cakes, the poor would pray for the dead family members of the rich.
Halloween Today
Halloween today is a time for kids to dress up in Halloween costumes and go trick-or-treating. This is a time when adults let their hair down and have fun at masquerade parties. Older kids see it as an opportunity to pull pranks.
It’s a time to celebrate the changing of the seasons, dress up in costumes, collect candy, and have fun with friends.
What Should I be for Halloween?
I love Halloween. Absolutely love it! It’s that one time of year when everyone lets out their silliest, scariest, craziest, most creative self and no one looks at them funny. But if there are so many fun choices and great ideas, how do you ever decide “What should I be for Halloween?”
When I was younger, costume picking was the highlight of the month, next to the trick-or-treating. I was a fairy queen one Halloween, making flowers grow with my plastic light-up wand. A witch the next, cackling and yelling out spells, chasing the family dog around the yard (my nose fell off because I was really sweaty by the time everyone was ready to go out for treats). But my favorite costume from those years was Supergirl. I wanted her because she had a cape. I helped little kids who lost their candy to the big kids. Another great thing about Halloween — it’s almost as if you become whatever you dress up to be.
As a teenager, nobody wants to admit it, but dressing up for Halloween is still great. We griped about having to wear a costume to take our younger siblings out trick or treating but deep down inside, we loved it. Wearing a fancy costume adds to the fun of Halloween.
This year, there is an infinite supply of inspiration. The new superhero movies – Captain America, Thor, Green Lantern – are great choices. Or you can let out your inner Potterhead and dress up like a Hogwarts student, a professor, even a Death Eater! You can go glam like your fave Hollywood celebrity or pull a Lady Gaga and put on anything that catches your fancy.
The list of costume possibilities is endless. You could be an angel, a demon, a superhero, Indiana Jones, or a zombie. You could dye your hair (temporarily of course!), wear a mask, or wear fancy makeup. You can buy a costume or make one yourself at home. You can coordinate with a group of friends so that you have matching costumes.
Whatever you choose to be for Halloween, the most important thing is to have lots of fun. You have to love being in your costume. You have to be creative. Don’t be afraid to let your true genius shine through your costume. And if all else fails, you could always tell everyone that you’re dressing up as yourself for Halloween.