Halloween

Halloween is a holiday celebrated each year on October 31. The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.

Origins

The origins of Halloween can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago, mostly in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death.

Traditions

Halloween traditions include costume wearing, trick-or-treating, and carving jack-o'-lanterns. These traditions have evolved over time and have been influenced by various cultures and societies.

Costume Wearing

The tradition of dressing in costume for Halloween has both European and Celtic roots. It was believed that ghosts came back to the earthly world on Halloween, and people thought that they would encounter ghosts if they left their homes.

Trick-or-Treating

The practice of trick-or-treating dates back to the early All Souls' Day parades in England. During the festivities, poor citizens would beg for food and families would give them pastries called "soul cakes" in return for their promise to pray for the family's dead relatives.

Jack-o'-Lanterns

The tradition of carving jack-o'-lanterns originates from an Irish myth about a man nicknamed "Stingy Jack." According to the story, Jack tricked the Devil for his own monetary gain. When Jack died, God would not allow him into heaven, and the Devil would not let Jack into hell, so Jack was sent off into the night with only a burning coal to light his way.

Modern Celebrations

Today, Halloween is celebrated in various ways, including wearing costumes, trick-or-treating, festive gatherings, carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns, and eating sweet treats.

See Also

• Samhain
• All Souls' Day
• Trick-or-Treating
• Jack-o'-Lantern

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