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Nov 18, 2009 · Halloween originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain and is now a worldwide event. Learn more about Halloween's origins, traditions, interesting facts, scary movies and more.
History Christian origins and historic customs. Halloween is thought to have influences from Christian beliefs and practices. The English word 'Halloween' comes from "All Hallows' Eve", being the evening before the Christian holy days of All Hallows' Day (All Saints' Day) on 1 November and All Souls' Day on 2 November.
- First day of Allhallowtide
May 6, 2024 · By the 9th century, October 31 was being celebrated as All Hallows’ Eve, later contracted to Halloween, throughout Western Christendom. How is Halloween celebrated? Halloween is celebrated with pranks, parties, costumes, and trick-or-treating.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Nov 1, 2020 · All Hallows’ Eve: History and meaning behind the holiday. By CNN Staff. Published November 1, 2020. Matt Cardy/Getty Images. Do not Sell my Personal Information. You might think Halloween is...
- Carving Jack-o’-Lanterns. The tradition of carving Jack-o’-Lanterns originated in Ireland using turnips instead of pumpkins. It is allegedly based on a legend about a man named Stingy Jack who repeatedly trapped the Devil and only let him go on the condition that Jack would never go to Hell.
- Seeing Ghosts. The festival of Samhain marked the transition to the new year at the end of the harvest and beginning of the winter. Celtic people believed that during the festival, spirits walked the Earth.
- Wearing Scary Costumes. In order to avoid being terrorized by all the evil spirits walking the Earth during Samhain, the Celts donned disguises in order to confuse the spirits and be left alone.
- Trick-or-Treating. There is much debate around the origins of trick-or-treating, but generally there are three theories. The first theory suggests that during Samhain, Celtic people would leave food out to appease the spirits traveling the Earth at night.
Oct 21, 2019 · All Hallows' Eve. How long ago these rituals were included in the observance of Samhain is unknown, but some form of them were probably in place by the time Christianity came to Ireland in the 5th century.
