HOLIDAYS
HOLIDAYS
Halloween's Celtic Origin
- The holiday that evolved into Halloween was first celebrated over 2,000 years ago by the Celtic people, who called it Samhain.
- The Samhain festival served as the New Year for the Celtic People, as their calendars started on November 1.
- During Samhain they celebrated the fall harvest and the coming of winter with huge bonfires. In the bonfires they sacrificed crops and animals to the Celtic deities.
- The Celts also wore animal skins and heads during the Samhain bonfires, which is where the Halloween tradition of costumes likely originated.
- In the 600's A.D., November 1 was designated by the Pope to be All Saints Day; a day to celebrate and honor Christian saints and martyrs.
- It is believed that Pope Boniface IV chose November 1 as All Saints Day to replace the pagan Samhain festival with a church-approved holiday.
- All Saints Day became known as "All Hallow’s Day" due to the Middle English word for it, which was 'Alholowmesse.' Therefore, the night before All Hallow’s Day became known as "All Hallow's Eve"
- The church later appointed November 2 as "All Souls' Day," a day to honor loved ones who have passed on.
- During All Souls' Day parades in England, "soul cakes" were passed out to poor people in return for a promise that they would pray for departed family members.
Halloween
Traditions: Pumpkin
Carving
Traditions: Pumpkin
Carving
Halloween Customs:
Wearing Costumes
Wearing Costumes
Halloween
Traditions:
Halloween Honeys
Traditions:
Halloween Honeys
