For many, October is associated with Halloween, a holiday that combines spooky stories, sweets, outrageous costumes, and watching horror movies. But behind this bright and cheerful picture lies a centuries-old past, in which the traditions of different cultures and religions are intertwined. The history of Halloween is full of mysticism and change, its roots go deep into pagan times.
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How did Halloween originate?
The history of Halloween begins over 2,000 years ago with the celebration of the Celtic festival of Samhain, which was celebrated on October 31. Samhain means “falling in the night” in Irish, and it was a time when the Celts celebrated the end of the harvest and the arrival of winter. It was believed that on this day the veil between the world of the living and the dead became thinnest, allowing the souls of the dead to return and visit their loved ones.
The Samhain festival symbolized the end of one life cycle and the beginning of a new one, inspiring people to reflect on life and death. For the Celts, it was a time of mystical rituals, including the lighting of bonfires and sacrifices. Pagan traditions also included the wearing of masks and costumes made of animal skins to hide from evil spirits.
Modern Pagans still celebrate Samhain as a time to set positive intentions for the coming year. It is a reminder of the natural cycles of life, where winter gives way to spring, and death is just one part of that cycle.
Symbolism and religious roots
After the spread of Christianity in Europe, the church integrated some pagan traditions into its celebrations. In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III moved the celebration of All Saints' Day from May to November 1. Thus, October 31 became known as All Hallows' Eve, later shortened to the modern word “Halloween”.
It was a time to honor saints and martyrs, but ancient pagan customs did not disappear. People continued to wear costumes to protect themselves from evil spirits and celebrated the end of autumn with large meals and rituals.
How did Halloween come to the USA?
The United States is undoubtedly most famous for celebrating Halloween. Its spread in the United States is associated with the Great Irish Migration in the mid-19th century, caused by the Great Potato Famine. Millions of Irish people came to America, bringing with them their traditions and religious rites. It was thanks to the Irish that the celebration of Samhain was transformed into the modern Halloween.
Originally celebrated in small communities, where it remained traditional, with costumes and treats, Halloween began to gain popularity as part of a national culture in the early 20th century, with an emphasis on fall festivals, family events, and costume parades.
Costumes and cakes
One of the oldest Halloween traditions is the wearing of costumes, which originates from the Celtic custom of masquerade during Samhain. People wore animal skins to hide from evil spirits and also participated in rituals involving sacrifices for the souls of the dead.
In the Middle Ages, this tradition evolved into the distribution of “soul cakes”—small round cakes given to those praying for the souls of the dead. This eventually evolved into the modern custom of trick-or-treating, where children go door to door begging for sweets.
Problems and pranks
By the mid-20th century, Halloween in the United States was associated not only with costumes and candy, but also with mischief and even vandalism. Young people used the holiday as an excuse to cause trouble—defacing property, setting houses on fire, unleashing livestock, and causing chaos. To stop this destruction, communities began organizing costume parades and controlled Halloween events, transforming it into a more civilized holiday.
Jack lanterns and pumpkins
One of the most famous symbols of Halloween is the jack-o'-lantern, or jack-o'-lantern. This tradition comes from an ancient Irish legend about Stingy Jack, who outwitted the devil and was forced to wander the earth with a lantern carved from a turnip to protect himself from evil spirits.
When the Irish brought this tradition to America, turnips were replaced with pumpkins because they were more affordable and easier to carve. Today, pumpkins are the main symbol of Halloween, and pumpkin carving competitions have become an obligatory part of the celebration.
Commercialization of the holiday
In the 1950s, Halloween became a commercialized holiday in the United States. Warner Brothers, Hanna-Barbera, and Disney produced animated shows and films such as Casper and The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, which popularized the holiday among children and adults.
When did Halloween become associated with adult parties and sexy costumes? In 1986, the beer company Coors Light launched an advertising campaign aimed at adults, featuring the iconic character Elvira. This transformed Halloween into a holiday where adults could also participate in costume parties.