Iruni Kalupahana JadeTimes Staff
I. Kalupahana is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Entertainment
A Celebration with Ancient Roots
Halloween, celebrated on October 31, has evolved over centuries from both pagan and religious influences. Traditionally associated with dark themes, Halloween is marked by costumes, spooky decorations, jack o' lanterns, and trick or treating. But Halloween also holds deeper meaning in certain cultures, marking the start of Allhallowtide, a three day Christian period dedicated to remembering the dead. In countries like Mexico, related traditions like Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) also occur around this time, with their own unique practices honoring deceased loved ones through altars, marigold flowers, and traditional food offerings.
Celtic Festival of Samhain
Halloween traces back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated in parts of what is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France over 2,000 years ago. Samhain was the Celtic New Year, observed on November 1, marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the dark winter, a period often associated with death. The Celts believed the veil between the living and the dead was thinnest on the night of October 31, allowing spirits to cross over into the human world. To protect themselves, people built large bonfires, wore costumes made from animal skins, and offered sacrifices to Celtic deities. It was also a time for divination, where people would seek guidance on issues like health, marriage, and fortune.
Roman Influence on Samhain Traditions
In the 1st century AD, when the Roman Empire extended its reach into Celtic lands, Roman culture mingled with Celtic traditions, shaping the early Halloween customs. The Romans celebrated "Feralia", a late October festival to honor the spirits of the dead, and "Pomona", a goddess of fruit and the harvest, whose symbol was the apple. Many historians believe that the apple became associated with Halloween activities such as bobbing for apples, symbolizing Pomona’s influence. Over the years, these Roman practices merged with Samhain, creating a rich tapestry of customs that would later blend with Christian beliefs.
The Christian Adoption of Halloween
In the 7th century, Pope Boniface IV designated May 13 as All Saints’ Day, a day to honor saints and martyrs. However, in the 8th century, Pope Gregory III shifted All Saints’ Day to November 1, possibly to replace the existing pagan holiday of Samhain with a Christian observance. The night before All Saints’ Day, October 31, was called All Hallows’ Eve, which later became “Halloween.” Over time, Halloween became a mix of sacred and secular traditions, combining the remembrance of saints with Samhain’s darker themes. By the time of the Protestant Reformation, Halloween lost much of its religious significance among Protestants but continued as a secular celebration in Britain.
Halloween in America and Modern Customs
Halloween arrived in America with European immigrants, especially the Irish and Scottish, who brought their customs and folklore. During the mid 19th century, these immigrants celebrated Halloween with gatherings, ghost stories, and mischief making. Trick or treating emerged in the 1920s and 1930s as a way to manage Halloween pranks, children dressed in costumes and went door to door collecting sweets, a custom inspired by the British tradition of “souling,” where the poor would beg for “soul cakes” in return for praying for the dead. In the U.S., Halloween quickly became one of the most celebrated holidays, especially among children. Today, Halloween activities also include costume parties, pumpkin carving, haunted houses, and ghost tours.
Halloween Symbols and UNICEF’s Role
Jack o' lanterns are one of Halloween’s most iconic symbols. Originally, the Irish carved turnips into faces to ward off evil spirits, inspired by the legend of "Stingy Jack," a man who tricked the Devil and was doomed to wander the earth with only a carved out turnip lantern to light his way. When Irish immigrants brought this custom to America, they began using pumpkins, which were more abundant. Other symbols like witches, black cats, skeletons, and bats have roots in folklore and mythology, representing mystery, fear, and death. Since the 1950s, UNICEF has made Halloween an opportunity for charitable giving by encouraging children to collect donations for humanitarian programs, making Halloween both a fun and meaningful occasion.
