You know Halloween is coming when you see stores start stocking candy and costumes. But where did this autumn holiday come from? Many people think it has religious origins, but that’s not quite right. Halloween actually has Celtic roots dating back to the festival of Samhain. Learn more about this spooky celebration and how it’s evolved over the years!
Halloween has pagan origins and was originally celebrated by the Celts
Halloween can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. This festival was held at the end of the harvest season when the boundaries between the world of the living and the world of the dead were said to be blurred. During Samhain, people would dress up in costumes and light bonfires to ward off evil spirits.
Over time, Halloween evolved into a secular holiday. In the 19th century, Irish immigrants brought Halloween to America, where it quickly became popular. Today, Halloween is celebrated by people of all ages and religions.
Over time, Halloween has evolved into a secular celebration of spookiness and fun
Today, Halloween is celebrated with a variety of traditions, including trick-or-treating, costume parties, and carving jack-o’-lanterns. Trick-or-treating likely originated in Ireland and Scotland, where children would dress up in costumes and go door-to-door begging for food. Costume parties were popularized in America by Irish immigrants who celebrated Halloween with dances and feasts. And jack-o’-lanterns are thought to have originated in Ireland, where people would carve turnips or potatoes into lanterns to ward off evil spirits.
Final Words
Whether you’re celebrating for religious or secular reasons, Halloween is a great opportunity to have some fun! So get out there and enjoy all that this spooky holiday has to offer!