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The History of Halloween
- Sep 7, 2008 at 8:55 AM
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- Comments (48) Total Views (1020) Everyone can see this journal post.
Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter. To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities. During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other's fortunes. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter.
By A.D. 43, Romans had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. In the course of the four hundred years that they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain. The first was Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. The second was a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of "bobbing" for apples that is practiced today on Halloween.
By the 800s, the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands. In the seventh century, Pope Boniface IV designated November 1 All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs. It is widely believed today that the pope was attempting to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a related, but church-sanctioned holiday. The celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints' Day) and the night before it, the night of Samhain, began to be called All-hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween.
Even later, in A.D. 1000, the church would make November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honor the dead. It was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels, and devils. Together, the three celebrations, the eve of All Saints', All Saints', and All Souls', were called Hallowmas.
So, for those of you believe that Halloween is an evil, non-Christian holiday, you're wrong!
Comments:
As a christian I have never felt that the day itself was evil nor the trick or treating or anything else. I dohowever believe others ahve twisted it in certain areas to perform evil on this day as a way of twisting it. As a christian I apologize for those of us who may be a wee bit more zealous and who tend to stretch things. I had a pastor once who belived it was evil and a day for satan and he and I never did see eye to eye. Despite me providing him this exact same information. *shakes head* some people refuse to see the truth even when it is placed in their eyeline..
just a little comment from me...
you stated something about it not being a non-christian holiday, but for those who truly know Christ and how He works, you will see right through that article.
Yes, it's history, yes it's informative...but I do NOT believe that it glorifies God.
Nope, can't even call it Halloween any longer. Now the churches call it the FALL FESTIVAL! Shows how much history they have researched! Most of these *nice church goers* don't have a clue how the Papalcy included this time in it's agenda to add more members and their pennies to the church coffers.
*Sarcasm* - I'm amazed that the Farmer's Almanac hasn't been banned.
EXCELLENT POST!
We love Halloween. Not only us kids, but also my mother used to dress up every year. I do still to this day.
Now that she is passed, I also light a candle for her now when Halloween comes.
As the veil is considered thinnest at this time. I think of her and others whom I love who have passed.
It's a very special time of year. I love it!
My favorite time of year!
I don't understand why people hate Halloween so much. Yeah some people make it "satanic" but just as people twist it to be "evil" couldn't it just as easily be made religious. I love Halloween and can't wait to dress my daughter up! She's still a little young for trick or treating though ;-( I know many many many people that celebrate the 3 days of Halloween as a religious holiday.
I always enjoy sitting outside on my front porch, and handing out the candy to the kids.... Some of the costume's are really great...... (I knew of this Crazy woman, who Never once, let her kids celebrate Halloween, they never got to wear a costume or anything, and she banned them from participating in anything with the kids school also....)... I felt a little sorry for those kids.... but they turned out to be just as crazy as she was in the end..... very disturbed people.....
but I do NOT believe that it glorifies God.
so?
just a little comment from me...
you stated something about it not being a non-christian holiday, but for those who truly know Christ and how He works, you will see right through that article.
Yes, it's history, yes it's informative...but I do NOT believe that it glorifies God.
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Thanks for the info! I printed it out so I can read it later (when I'm not at work!!)
My kids are too old to take trick or treating. :o(
I know someone who told their kids halloween is the devil's birthday. A friend of mine said one of the kids came up to her and asked why they celebrate the devil's birthday!