A History of Halloween
October 18th 2006 23:05
Dressing up as ghosts and goblins, trick-or-treating, carved pumpkins and scary parties is all heaps of fun, but how did it all get started?
Halloween is basically a shortened version of All-hallow-even. Halloween was (and still is) the day before November 1. This was the day when the saints or souls were remembered. It has been known by different names, including All Saints Day, All Souls Day and All Hallows Day. Hardly anyone pays any attention to All Souls Day anymore, but Halloween has continued.
Like many festivals it began as a pagan festival, but was reintrepeted by Christians. Before becoming Halloween, the Celts celebrated Samhain to mark the end of summer. It was a time when big bonfires were lit to keep evil spirits away, as it was said that Samhain was a time when the dead visited this world.
When Christian missionaries came to Ireland, they didn't like this pagan festival. But instead of trying to wipe it out all together, they gave it a Christian spin. All Saints' Day was standardized in 835, allowing the Christians to attempt some Christian connection with the celebrations that took place the day before.
Halloween didn't really take off in America until the 19th century, when loads of Irish immigrants came to America, bringing the idea of Halloween with them. Like many other festivals, it became commercialized in the 20th century. Halloween costumes, cards, party-tricks and decorations were sold, giving companies the desire to make and keep the holiday popular.
Halloween is basically a shortened version of All-hallow-even. Halloween was (and still is) the day before November 1. This was the day when the saints or souls were remembered. It has been known by different names, including All Saints Day, All Souls Day and All Hallows Day. Hardly anyone pays any attention to All Souls Day anymore, but Halloween has continued.
Like many festivals it began as a pagan festival, but was reintrepeted by Christians. Before becoming Halloween, the Celts celebrated Samhain to mark the end of summer. It was a time when big bonfires were lit to keep evil spirits away, as it was said that Samhain was a time when the dead visited this world.
When Christian missionaries came to Ireland, they didn't like this pagan festival. But instead of trying to wipe it out all together, they gave it a Christian spin. All Saints' Day was standardized in 835, allowing the Christians to attempt some Christian connection with the celebrations that took place the day before.
Halloween didn't really take off in America until the 19th century, when loads of Irish immigrants came to America, bringing the idea of Halloween with them. Like many other festivals, it became commercialized in the 20th century. Halloween costumes, cards, party-tricks and decorations were sold, giving companies the desire to make and keep the holiday popular.
| 60 |
| Vote |
Add Comments
