Why Do We Celebrate Halloween
From LoveToKnow Party
Why do we celebrate Halloween? This holiday has been an official holiday in the United States since 1921 and is one of the most popular days of the year for small children. Learn how this holiday has evolved from a harvest celebration to the trick-or-treat tradition of today.
A Pagan Celebration
Halloween began as a Pagan celebration. The purpose of the celebration was to give thanks for an abundant harvest and to celebrate the beginning of the New Year, which began November 1. Samhain was the original name of this harvest celebration - a Celtic-Gaelic word meaning summer's end. Due to some misinformation over the years, it was believed that this was a devil worshipping ceremony or one in which human sacrifice occurred. In fact, the only objects ceremonially sacrificed were animal bones and items from the recently harvested fields. They were thrown onto one or two bonfires in the center of the village.
In addition to the bonfires, some aspects of the original celebration that we are familiar with today include trick-or-treating, masks and carved vegetables.
Bonfires
Bonfires were important for several reasons. Primarily, they were used to burn sacrifices for the Pagan gods and goddesses. They were also used in a ceremony where villagers ran between two bonfires to bring luck and prosperity for the coming year. Finally, at the end of the celebration, villagers would take a stick from the bonfire and use it to light their own hearth fires at home. This was also thought to bring good health and prosperity for the New Year.
Trick-or-Treat
The history of trick-or-treating also began with the Pagan harvest celebration. The Pagans believed that all hallows eve was the one day of the year that the dead could walk amongst the living. Villagers would leave food out on their doorstep to appease the dead. This was also the origin of beggar's night. People would go door to door begging for "soul cakes." Over time, this tradition evolved into begging for candy and treats.
Wearing of Masks
The wearing of masks began as a way to disguise oneself and confuse the spirits that were walking among the living. It was believed that this would protect someone from being possessed by an evil spirit on all hallows eve. Pagans wore animal skins and animal masks to accomplish this. Today this tradition continues, but it is considered a way to express our alter egos instead of a way to ward off evil spirits.
Carved Vegetables
The original vegetables carved were the turnip and the rutabaga; the carving of pumpkins didn't become a popular practice until the late 1800's when immigrants brought the idea of carving vegetables to the United States. As legend has it, the carving began with the story of Stingy Jack. Stingy Jack tricked the devil into a tree and then carved a cross on the tree so the devil couldn't come back down. The devil cursed Stingy Jack, forcing him to walk the earth in the dark, with only a turnip lantern to light his way.
Why Do We Celebrate Halloween?
We celebrate Halloween today due to the evolution of the Pagan celebration of Samhain to that of a Christian one.
Roman Influence
In the 600's the Roman Catholic Pope Boniface IV changed the date of All Saint's Day from May 13 to November 1. The word hallomas, meaning "sanctified," was used to describe All Souls Day, Eve of All Saints and All Saints Day. The Romans honored the dead on these days.
An American Halloween
The present day term Halloween comes from hallo 'en, which means eve of the sanctified celebration. Today, the celebration is coming full-circle back to its Pagan roots. Many people prefer to call this holiday a harvest celebration instead of Halloween. Now when someone asks you "Why do we celebrate Halloween?" you'll know the history behind this celebration.
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