Halloween History | National Geographic

Summary

Halloween's origins trace back to the Celtic festival of Samhain, marking the end of the harvest and the Celtic New Year. It was believed to be a time when the veil between the living and the dead was thinnest. The Catholic Church later merged this with All Saints' Day, creating All Hallows' Eve, which evolved into Halloween. Irish immigrants brought Halloween to America, introducing customs like apple bobbing and tricks on neighbors. The tradition of trick-or-treating emerged as a way to curb vandalism, transforming Halloween into a community-based holiday.

Takeaways

• 🎃 Halloween is a blend of cultural, religious, and occult traditions that have evolved over centuries.
• 🌾 The Celts celebrated the end of the harvest season on October 31st with a festival called Samhain, marking the Celtic New Year.
• 👻 Samhain was believed to be a time when the spirits of the dead could interact with the living, as the veil between the worlds was thinnest.
• 🔥 Villagers lit bonfires during Samhain to ward off spirits and protect the living.
• ⛪ As Catholicism spread, the Church merged pagan rituals with Christian holidays, creating All Saints Day on November 1st.
• 👼 All Saints Day, or Hallowmas, was intended to honor martyrs and the deceased faithful, and was a strategy to incorporate pagan traditions into the Church.
• 🍂 The term 'Halloween' is derived from 'All Hallows Eve,' the night before All Saints Day.
• 🌊 Halloween was brought to America by Irish immigrants fleeing the potato famine in the 1840s, along with customs like apple bobbing and neighbor pranks.
• 🎭 Early American Halloween traditions included children wearing masks and playing tricks on neighbors to avoid recognition.
• 🏠 The practice of trick-or-treating emerged in the 1930s as a way to redirect children's mischief and vandalism into a more controlled and safe activity.

Q & A

What is the origin of Halloween according to the script?

Halloween originated with the Celts, who celebrated the end of the harvest season on October 31st in a festival called Samhain. This night also marked the Celtic New Year and was believed to be a time when the ghosts of the dead walked the earth.

Why was October 31st significant for the Celts?

October 31st was significant for the Celts as it was the day they celebrated the end of the harvest season and marked the Celtic New Year. It was considered a magical time when the veil between death and life was at its thinnest.

What did the villagers do to ward off the dead during Samhain?

During Samhain, villagers gathered and lit huge bonfires to drive the dead back to the spirit world and keep them away from the living.

How did the Catholic Church influence the celebration of Halloween?

As the Catholic Church's influence grew in Europe, it frowned upon pagan rituals like Samhain. In the 7th century, the Vatican merged it with a church-sanctioned holiday, designating November 1st as All Saints Day to honor martyrs and the deceased.

What is the meaning behind the name 'All Saints Day'?

All Saints Day, known then as Hallowmas, means 'holy' or 'saintly' in reference to the saints. November 1st was designated to honor martyrs and the deceased faithful.

How did the term 'Halloween' come into use?

The term 'Halloween' comes from 'All Hallows Eve,' which was the night before All Saints Day, October 31st. Over time, 'All Hallows Eve' gradually morphed into 'Halloween.'

Which group of immigrants brought Halloween traditions to America?

Halloween traditions came to America with the wave of Irish immigrants during the potato famine of the 1840s.

What were some of the customs brought by Irish immigrants to America during Halloween?

Irish immigrants brought customs such as bobbing for apples and playing tricks on neighbors, like removing gates from the front of houses, to America.

Why did young pranksters wear masks during Halloween in the past?

Young pranksters wore masks so they wouldn't be recognized while playing tricks on neighbors, as part of the tradition of harmless tricks that later grew into outright vandalism.

How did the tradition of trick-or-treating start?

Trick-or-treating started as a form of extortion where children would demand candy with the threat of causing trouble if not given treats. Storekeepers and neighbors began giving treats as bribes to stop the tricks.

What was the situation with Halloween in the 1930s?

In the 1930s, Halloween became a dangerous holiday with significant hooliganism and vandalism. Trick-or-treating was encouraged as an alternative to troublemaking, and by the late 1930s, it became the holiday greeting.