Halloween is observed as an annual holiday on October 31st dating with roots back to the Celtic festival of Samhain and All Saints’ Day symbolized and recognized in the Christian holiday. In today’s society around the world, Halloween is regarded as a secular celebration. Many people especially children enjoy the benefits of this holiday by wearing costumes, trick-or-treating, attending parties, haunted houses, telling ghost stories, making bon-fires, bobbing for apples, watching horror movies, and of course the all time favorite, carving pumpkins (jack-o’-lanterns).
According to history, the Samhain festival celebrates the end of the “lighter half” and the beginning of the “darker half” during the year. Therefore, it is regarded as the “Celtic New Year,” in many cultural traditions. Many ancient Celts believed that our world had a border with the “Otherworld,” in the festival of Samhain. This allowed different types of spirits whether harmless and harmful to pass through. During this celebration, it is believed that the best remedy to ward off a harmful spirit is by dressing up in a mask or costume. For example, in Scotland, young men would impersonate themselves as spirits dressed up in white with a masked face, or decorated with a dark, black face. Bonfires would often be set up to do a cleansing ritual and people would even have their own livestock burnt. The use of bonfires was a huge part of the festivals. In most parts of the world today, this tradition is being practiced and recognized. What is more interesting that I found is the practice of divination used during this festivity, an attempt to gain spiritual insight into a situation with asking questions to a certain practiced ritual. The use of food and drink is popular during the Halloween holiday as well.
I’ve learned a lot of different facts about the history behind Halloween. I honestly think Halloween is a great holiday for kids each year to experience something fun showing their creativity and interest in this once-a-year event. I still love the idea of carving jack-o’-lanterns, a classic fun activity amongst my family. I also deeply love what people are dressed up as bringing out their creative side as part of this Halloween celebration.