The history and origin of Halloween date back 2000 over years. It began with a celebration of the dead. A Celtic festival was held on November 1, the first day of the Celtic New Year. Specifically, this holiday honors Samhain, the Lord of the Dead. Ancient Celtic people believed the souls of the dead returned on the evening before November 1. The celebration included burning sacrifices and costumes. This early event served as a celebration of the harvest. At the same time, it also honors dead ancestors.
This Celtic ritual spread throughout Europe in the seventh century. It began with “All Hallows Eve”, the “Night of the Dead”. It is immediately followed by “All Souls Day”, a Christian holy day. Eventually, Halloween was celebrated on October 31, so it was not held on the same day as All Saint’s Day or All Souls Day.
Early Celtic culture included lighting vegetables. Pumpkins came from North America and had not yet made their way to Europe. First, the Celts carved out gourds, rutabagas, or turnips. Next, they carved faces on them. Then, they put an ember inside the vegetable to light it. Celtic people believed it wards off evil spirits, who roamed the streets and the countryside during All Hallow’s Eve. Also, other European cultures developed a custom of carving scary faces into the gourds.
Halloween history in America, was very much influenced by Irish immigrants. The Irish brought the tradition of carving turnips and even potatoes with them to America. They quickly discovered that pumpkins were bigger and easier to carve. As a result, our Halloween tradition today is all about carving and lighting pumpkins. Carving Tunips and Rutabagas
Americans spend over $14 billion on costumes, decorations, party supplies and other Halloween paraphernalia!!
Bobbing for Apples is a related Halloween tradition widely popular a few decades ago. It dates back to ancient roman times in honor of the Roman goddess of fruits and apples. Similarly, the tradition of bobbing for apples is a common activity at Halloween parties and fall festivals.
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Halloween Facts – So, you become the expert on everything Halloween!
