WHERE DID IT COME FROM? The Origin of Some Halloween Customs and Symbols VAMPIRES, WEREWOLVES, WITCHES, ZOMBIES: These creatures have long been associated with the evil spirit world. CANDY: The ancient Celts tried to appease wicked spirits with sweets. The church later encouraged celebrants to go from house to house on All Hallows’ Eve, asking for food in return for a prayer for the dead. This custom eventually became Halloween’s trick or treat. COSTUMES: The Celts wore frightening masks so that evil spirits would mistakenly think the wearers were spirits and would leave them alone. The church gradually amalgamated pagan customs with the feasts of All Souls and All Saints. Later, celebrants went from house to house wearing costumes of saints, angels, and devils. PUMPKINS: Carved, candlelit turnips were displayed to repel evil spirits. To some, the candle in the turnip represented a soul trapped in purgatory. Later, carved pumpkins were more commonly used. HALLOWEEN TIME LINE FIFTH CENTURY B.C.E.The Celts observe the festival of Samhain at the end of October, when they believe ghosts and demons roam the earth more so than at other times.FIRST CENTURY C.E.The Romans conquer the Celts and adopt the spiritistic rituals of Samhain. SEVENTH CENTURY C.E.Pope Boniface IV is said to have established the annual celebration of All Saints’ Day to honor martyrs. *ELEVENTH CENTURY C.E.The second of November is designated as All Souls’ Day to commemorate the dead. Observances surrounding All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day are collectively called Hallowtide. EIGHTEENTH CENTURY C.E.The name of the holiday, Hallowe’en (Hallow Evening) appears in print as Halloween. NINETEENTH CENTURY C.E.Thousands of people who move from Ireland to the United States bring with them Halloween customs that, in time, combined with similar customs of emigrants from Britain and Germany, as well as Africa and other parts of the world. TWENTIETH CENTURY C.E.Halloween becomes a popular nationwide holiday in the United States.TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY C.E.Commercial interest in Halloween grows into a worldwide multibillion-dollar industry.
Posted on: Fri, 01 Nov 2013 04:12:31 +0000
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