Something Wicked This Way Comes, a History of Halloween

Something wicked this way comes- A history of Halloween

Have you ever asked yourself, “where does Halloween come from, why do we wear costumes, when did trick-or-treating begin, and why do we carve pumpkins into Jack-o-lanterns?” If so, you aren’t the first person to wonder how Halloween became the traditional holiday that it is today.

Discovering how it all began, we must go back thousands of years to the ancient Celtic tribes in Europe. So lock your doors, dim the lights and prepare yourself as we dig up the real story of Halloween!

 [image error]



[image error]

Origin of Halloween

 Approximately 2,000 years ago, the Old Celtic Calendar marked the celebration of the New Year on October 31st, called Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts in the area now known as Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France, marked this day as the end of summer and harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter. To commemorate the event, hey built huge sacred bon-fires where they people gathered offerings of animals and crops as sacrifices to the Celtic deities. If they had a bad harvest, it was an omen for death and suffering. Many Celts believed time and space at night became permeable and spirits of the dead could wander in and out of our reality. They believed the veil was thinnest at this time of year. Stories of people getting trapped on the other side circulated while spirits of the dead would haunt the living.

The Roman Empire conquered the Celtic territory and continued the Samhain celebration and added to it a day called Feralia, late in October to commemorate the passing of the dead.

A few hundred years later, the Pope dedicated a day, May 13th, to honor all Christian martyrs, known as “All Saints Day”. The Christian church later moved the day to November 1st to drain the life out of the Samhain holiday. This is when the Samhain name changed to “All Hallow’s Eve”, the day before All Saints Day. The church didn’t think one day was enough so they added another day, November 2nd, to honor the souls stuck in purgatory, known as “All Soul’s Day”.

In the middle ages, Priests would ask saints to pray for dammed souls in purgatory and it was believed that if enough prayers were offered up, the soul could fly up to heaven.

This led to a custom that bears a remarkable resemblance to modern day trick-or-treating.



[image error]  

Celtic Warrior



[image error]

Samhain Festival



[image error]

Celtic tradition to wear animal masks for Samhain Festival



 [image error]

Ghosts were seen because they believed the

veil was thinnest on night of October 31st.

 

Origin of Trick-or-Treating



[image error]

 Children would go door to door begging for “souling”, which is to ask for soul cakes (spiced cakes with raisins) and in exchange, these children would offer up prayers for the trapped souls.

Years later, some of these celebrations and traditions reached the shores of America as many Europeans immigrated.

 [image error]



[image error]



[image error]



[image error]

 

Origin of Masks

 

 Masks were worn frequently when drinking alcohol and acting wild by both beggars as well as those in high society to hide their identity. They also wore them to protect their image in society when they made political stands or arguments.

 [image error]

  

Origin of Tombstones and Coffins

 During the time of All Saints Day and All Souls Day, many believed not only in God and angels but in the Devil and demons. They believed ghosts haunted the living. To appease these demons, the priests would pour milk and offer little cakes on the ground before the tombstones.

 [image error]



[image error]

Origin of Bats

 Before electricity there was oil lamps and fire. During this time of year, many large bon-fires were made and gathered around. It became common to discuss the ghosts that visited/haunted and this turned into what is now known as ghost stories around the camp fire. Not only did the fires attract fear or ghosts, but of bugs. And, what eats bugs at night? Bats. Before long, bats became associated with these celebrations.

 

Origin of Witches

 In the 16th century there was a witch panic. Witches were seen as a wicked person in league with Satan. Witches were healers and religious persons became quickly suspicious. It didn’t take long before the odd kitchen tools used for making their remedies became acquainted as the model Halloween icons. Think of the broom, the cauldron, the pointed hat, and the cat.

 [image error]



[image error]



[image error]



[image error]

Bats, graveyards, witches and ghosts. . . The spooky elements were taking shape for what would soon become Halloween.

 

Origin of the Jack-o-Lantern

 [image error]

The Civil War happened and devastated so many Americans. There was so much death and unexplained mysteries and missing persons. This led to fear and ghost stories became commonplace. After the war, the Irish and Scottish immigrants brought their All Hallow’s Eve traditions with them, one being the Jack-o-Lantern.

There once was a man named Stingy Jack who was a trickster and big trouble maker. In fact, he was so bad that when he died he wasn’t allowed into heaven or hell. The devil couldn’t keep him but took pity on him and offered up a piece of ember from the fires of Hell and gave it to Jack. Jack put that ember in a hollowed out turnip to light his eternities in darkness. Ever since, Jack has roamed the earth with nothing but a glowing lantern to light his way. People then carved pumpkins and lighted it to ward off Jack or other evil spirits.

[image error] 



[image error]

 

Origins of our Modern Halloween

 The term All Hallow’s Eve changed to Halloween over the years and by the 20th century; Halloween became a day of fear, and mischief. Adolescent boys used this day as an excuse to pull pranks on the town by throwing stones in windows, or eggs at the doors, disassembling farm equipment or unlocking the farm gates. What started out as harmless pranks became dangerous and hurt people. Some would set fire to stores or put bars of soap on railing, causing cars to come off the tracks. Something had to be done. The communities needed the focus to change. They thought of having costumes and parades during the day and a party at night. Someone came up with the idea of “buying” the neighborhood pranksters off with treats. They adults quickly discovered their houses were left alone when they did this and the homemade popcorn balls and candy apples soon became wrapped candy bars and sweets. The coined phrase, “trick-or-treat” was born and to this day, still triggers cascades of candy into plastic pumpkins and pillowcases.

Artists established the look of Halloween. Ghosts were in white sheets, Devils wore horns, and Witches had pointed hats and warts.  

Here’s a little look at how Halloween's creepy creatures have evolved over the years:

 [image error]  [image error]



[image error]  [image error]



[image error]  [image error]



[image error]

Then. . . .



[image error]

Now...



[image error]

Now...



[image error]

Then. . .First zombie movie in "White Zombie"



[image error]

Now. . . Zombie from the tv hit series, "The Walking Dead"



[image error]

Then. . . First vampire film, "The Vampire" in 1913



[image error]

Then. . . Bela Lugosi in film "Dracula"



[image error]



Then. . . Bram Stoker's Dracula



[image error]



Now. . . Brad Pitt in "Interview with a Vampire" film in 1994



[image error]



Now. . . Robert Pattinson as Edward in "Twilight"





There you have it, a showcase of everything that scares the human race the most, but on October 31st, we turn our fears into fun!

So, beware of haunted houses and creaking doors, ghosts in billowing sheets and zombies from the grave. Watch out for full moons and black cats and don’t be surprised if a smiling Jack-o-Lantern wishes you a Happy Halloween!!



[image error]



Till next time~



Linda Louise