Halloween today is about dressing up, going to parties (or trick or treating for the younger crowds), eating too much candy, going to haunted houses, and watching the spooky movies. Honestly, today’s version of Halloween has been influenced by a number of different societies throughout different time periods. Spooky movies, candy, haunted houses, and dressing up as a favorite superhero were not in the original Halloween celebration.
The Celts were the first to have a celebration similar to Halloween. The called it Samhain, although it was pronounced sahwin. The celebration of their new year was on November first, but they believed that there was a break or blurring of the border that separated the living from the dead on the night before.
The Celts believed that there were prophecies of sorts that were told on this night. They would make bonfires and sacrifice crops, and animals while trying to tell fortunes. During this time they dressed in animal skins which would be a reason for the costumes on Halloween.
All Saints day was a way to make Samhain a Christian holiday. It carried on the same characteristics as Samhain, but the costumes were of angels and devils. A common name given to this day was All-hallows, and the night before was All-hallows eve, and eventually Halloween.
Halloween had a difficult time coming to America due to it being religious and the Protestant beliefs differing. When it was celebrated it was much more of a community celebration. There were parties, and feasts where fortunes were told and stories of the dead were re-lived. The increase in Irish immigration during the late nineteenth century helped to normalize the holiday nationwide.
“Trick or treating” had multiple origins. It was a way for those without food to receive it if they prayed well upon their givers’ deceased family. Dressing up to go “trick or treating” was the result of those fearing for spirits to see their faces. Maks was used to trick spirits into believing the living was of the dead. Another origin was matchmaking.
This one is often forgotten, and not used in today's celebration of Halloween. Women would sneak a trick into a food during the feast and whoever happened upon it would be the one to marry, There were more competitive means such as the one to win a Halloween game would be the first to marry. There were many matchmaking games involved in Halloween.
Jack O'Lanterns were used to frighten and ward off evil spirits. Bowls of food were left outside of houses for spirits as a gift in the hope they would not disturb the house. Mirrors would tell of a future spouse. Black cats were witches in disguise. Masks fooled the dead. All of these things are Halloween history.
There is so much different about today’s Halloween, but it is Halloween nonetheless. I love celebrating Halloween, and knowing more about the history of it makes it that much more exciting to celebrate this year.
Halloween is simply a way a celebrating the lives of those we have lost, even if it has slowly gone away from that. I hope everyone has a haunting Halloween full of candy, company (living or dead, who knows), and costumes. Remember to think about the loved ones we have lost, and celebrate their lives this Halloween.
