Halloween comes from a Celtic tradition called Samhain. It was a festival that marked the end of the Celtic calendar year in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. Here some other things that you may not know about the spookiest time of the year.
The name “Halloween” comes from Catholic church. ‘Hallowmas’, a three-day Catholic holiday honouring saints and the recently deceased. In the 11th century, the Pope announced that it would last from All Hallows Eve on October 31st until November 2nd. This was people had celebrated Samhain. The church was trying to convert Pagans to Christianity. Wiccans still celebrate Samhain as a New Year celebration.
“All Hallows Eve” evolved into “All Hallows Even,” and by the 18th century was being called “Hallowe’en.”
The Celts believed Halloween was a time when spirits and fairies could enter our world. They left them treats and set places dinner for the souls of the dead. They also wore costumes and masks to confuse any evil spirits who might decide to take them away.
Black cats, spiders, and bats are all Halloween symbols because of their spooky ties to Wiccans. They were all thought to bring bad luck.
Trick-or-treating has been around since medieval times. It was once known
as “guising,” or “souling.” Poor children and grown ups dressed up in costume during Hallowmas begging for food and money in exchange for songs or prayers.
Irish immigrants brought Trick-or-treating to the United States. It was popular in the 20th century until World War II, which brought sugar rationing. But, after the war the tradition of dressing up in costumes and asking for sweets from door-to-door became a popular Halloween activity again
This article appears in the Chicken Newspaper Friendship issue