Halloween Trick or Treaters in Traditional Witch and Skeleton Costumes
Autumn. A time when the leaves on the trees turn burnt orange, reds, and golden and begin falling to the ground. The earth coughs out it first crisp fall chill, reminding us that the season is changing once more. There's a magical feeling in the air that can't be described, but understood by all those who love autumn. And with autumn comes the holiday known as Halloween.
Halloween is one of the oldest and most celebrated holidays in the world, along with Christmas. It's a time when children can dress up in traditional costumes of witches, ghosts, and monsters, and go from door to door collecting candy. This night comes once a year and with it age old traditions that have been celebrated for thousands of years.
Celtic Celebration
One may be surprised at how this dark and exciting holiday of Halloween all began. It all started with the Celts in ancient Ireland B.C. The tribes of Celtic farmers celebrated the last day of harvest in a festival they called "Samhain"(pronounced Sow-inn) meaning summers end in Celtic, or November in Gaelic. Sow-inn represented the transition from summer to winter. It was a time when crops were gathered and the days grew darker as winter approached. The Celts grew apprehensive during this time because they knew that winter brought hardship and sometimes even death to the villagers.
This night also marked the Celtic New Year and was quite significant to the Celts. They believed that on this night, the veil or boundary between the living and the dead was at its thinnest, and the ghost of the dead walked the earth once more.
The villagers took drastic measures to ward off the spirits. They would dress up in masks and costumes of animal hides to disguise themselves. They went out to the edge of the village. They brought offerings to the dead to keep them away from their homes.
Ancient Celts in Masks
The Celts also believed the gods controlled the sun and they prayed for its return by building huge bonfires for the gods. On this night of Sow-inn, the farmers called on their druid priests for prayer and prophecy.
Bonfire
They brought animal blood sacrifices to the gods. It was their way of giving back to the earth, in thanks, for a bountiful harvest. When the fires died away, the druid priests would read the remains, or the entrails of the sacrificed animal, foretelling the future of the farmers in the coming year.
Ancient Druid Priest
Ancient Rome Celebrates
During this same time on the other side of Europe, the ancient Romans celebrated the festival of Pamona which fell on November 1rst. Pamona was the goddess of garden and fruits. The Romans laid out nuts and apples in thanks for a bountiful harvest. In 50 B.C. The Romans conquered much of Northen Europe and brought with them, the traditions of Pamona. Later, the traditions of the Celts and the Romans began to merge until Christianity came along and tried to put an end to paganism.
The goddess Pamona
Christianity And Paganism The Catholic Church grew in Europe and frowned on pagan rituals like Sow-inn. In the 7th century, the church began merging the pagan rituals with the church in order to bring more into the fold. Pope Gregory III designated November 1rst as a new holiday called "All Saint's Day." This holiday was set in motion to honor all the martyrs, Christian saints and the faithful. All Saint's Day was known as "Hallowmas." Hallow meaning, holy or saintly, which actually becomes "Mass of the Saints." The night before October 31rst was known as "All Hallows Eve."
Christ Glorified in the Court of Heaven 15th Century Painting by Fra Angelico
Halloween
Comes To America
Irish Immigrants Arrive in America
The holiday came to America with the Irish immigrants during the potato famine in the 1840's. They brought their customs and traditions with them. Not everyone is clear about the origin of "trick or treat" but here is one popular belief:
The Irish of the 1930's, had customs and part of their custom was to play games called pranks. They played pranks on their neighbors. It started out innocently enough, but soon the pranks grew more dangerous over time. Vandalism became common place and children were encouraged to dress up and go door to door begging for treats or they would play tricks on the occupants of the house. They would terrorize those in the homes and threaten to vandalize if they were not given treats. Soon people grew wise and gave treats in order to stop the tricks. Later, trick or treat would become the traditional greeting of future children as they went door to door for their treats.
Bonfires gave way to lanterns made from gourds, which became the first Jack-o-lanterns. The Celts disguises of the past became the costumes of present day Halloween. By the 20th Century, Halloween became an American institution and this holiday appealed to both children and adults all over the world and continues to today.
Jack-O-Lantern
Halloween
Connections
Witches were considered the worst symbol of paganism, especially at Sow-inn time. Witch comes from the old English word "Wicca" or "Wise One." Witches were depicted as evil hags and handmaidens of the devil by the church.
Black Cats were the supposed spirit of the witch in the body of an animal.
Bats and Owls were drawn to the light and the insects around the bonfires at Sow-inn celebrations,
so they are associated with the holiday, or so it is believed.
Ghosts are associated with the dead that come back on the night of Sow-inn.
The
Legend of Stingy Jack
The tale tells of a character named Stingy Jack. He liked to play terrible tricks on everyone. One day, as legend tell us, Jack fooled the Devil himself into climbing up an apple tree and once the Devil was in the tree, Jack placed crosses at its base. The Devil couldn't get down from the tree. Jack made a deal with the Devil that when he died, his soul could not go to the Devil. The Devil agreed. Jack removed the crosses and the Devil came down.
After Jack died, he tried to get into Heaven but Saint Peter refused to allow Jack in because he had lived a worthless life on earth. Jack went to Hell but the Devil kept his promise, he would not take his soul into Hell. Jack had nowhere to go but in between heaven and hell, forever in darkness. He pleaded with the Devil, begging him to show him the way out; he had no light. The Devil took pity on him and threw an ember to him from Hell. Jack placed it in a hollowed out Turnip. From then on, Stingy Jack roamed the earth endlessly, with only the light of his "Jack-O-Lantern" to illuminate his path.
On All Hallows Eve, the Irish placed candles in hollowed out gourds, to ward off evil spirits and Stingy Jack. Later, pumpkins replaced gourds and were used for Jack O-Lanterns.
Modern Day Pagans
The ancient traditions are still practiced among modern day pagans of Ireland. They keep Sow-inn alive much the same way that the ancients did so long ago. In their celebration, some pagans summon ancient deities and thank the earths spirits for life.
Halloween Is Celebrated Around The World
In Mexico, Latin America And Spain Halloween is known as:
"El Dia de los Muertos."
"Gran calavera eléctrica" (Grand electric skull) by José Guadalupe Posada, 1900-1913.
Latin Americans celebrate this day on November first and second.
It is a time when family and friends pray for their loved ones or friends, and remember them.
The names and customs may vary, but this ancient holiday is still recognized
in the following places:
Sweden
Austria
Belgium
Canada
China
Czechoslovakia
England
France
Germany
Hong Kong
Ireland
Copyright © Sylvia Zimmer 2008
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Sources:
History.com
History Channel
TLC Origin of Halloween
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