The word “Halloween” came from the phrase “All Hallows’ Evening or All Hallows’ Eve”, and is celebrated every October 31st. Behind this mass-marketed holiday for costumes, candies and horror movies, there are different stories as to how this popular tradition came about and why we celebrate it the way we do now. In the midst of cultures being brought back and forth, its influences would have to lie within the Celtic/Pagan and Catholic traditions.
Halloween is said to have its roots from the Western Europeans during the 16th century. Many believe that the tradition originated from the Celtic festival Samhain which celebrates the end of the harvest season in preparation for the coming winter. However, around that time, the zones dividing the dead and the living were said to overlap, giving the spirits the ability to go into the realm of the living.
Spirits were usually welcomed with tables of food prepared, but not all spirits had “friendly” personalities and some would wreak havoc on the crops. People then took measures to prevent the spirits form doing so, wearing scary costumes to mimic and pacify them, “guising” themselves from harm. Scary faces were also carved on turnips or pumpkins and placed on doorsteps to ward off evil spirits. Furthermore, to potentiate their crops, poor people were given food in exchange for prayers of good harvest, much like trick-or-treating (in this case, treat-and-praying).
Celtic priests called Druids are also thought to have played the dark side of Halloween. Curses, divination, and human sacrifice were part of their practice in honour of their death god, Samhain. Since Druids are known to pass on their customs orally, Romans, Greeks and ancient Irish have been the main source of these intel and no historical account written by Druids themselves was ever accounted for. Nevertheless, it is most likely here where ominous tales of Halloween have stemmed from.
In the Catholic context, Halloween is said to be associated with All Saints’ Day which was originally marked on May 13th but was changed to November 1 by Pope Gregory III to honour St. Peter’s church. It became an observance dedicated to the souls of departed Christians. Beggars knocked door-to-door and were given “soul cakes” in exchange for their prayers for the dead. Worship services were held; prayers offered; fasting done in accordance to one’s faith and tenacity. Indeed, Halloween was allowed by the Church to honour the dead saints, as well as strengthen the Catholic faith.
In more ways than one, historical records show similarities between pagan and Catholic sources. And with additional influences from all over the world, passing through slowly and mostly unnoticed, Halloween is made into what we all now know and celebrate.