Halloween is one of the most beloved holidays of the year, at least in my house. My kids start to think about their Halloween costumes in late August. It’s so much fun dressing up, going around from house to house collecting candy, but with all the fanfare of tricks, treats, and costumes, where do these Halloween traditions come from?
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Samhain
Samhain is a Gaelic festival that marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the “darker half” of the year. On our modern calendar, it runs from sunset on October 31st to sunset on November 1st. Known as “Three Nights of Summer’s End,” Samhain lasted three days.
Samhain is a time to remember our beloved ones that passed away. People believed the veil between this world and the Otherworld grew thin, allowing spirits to cross between the two. People left food and drink outside so the souls of the dead would have them. According to tradition, the souls revisit the house, seeking hospitality.
Modern Halloween
In the 9th century, Western Christianity created All Saints’ Day to honor the saints of the Church (celebrated on November 1st) and All Souls’ Day, which commemorates the faithfully departed (celebrated on November 2nd). Over time, these three festivities- All Saints, All Souls, and Samhain merged and originated the modern-day Halloween.
We celebrate Halloween on October 31st by dressing up and visiting houses to ask for treats. The Art Home of Education finds other similarities between modern Halloween and Samhain. They are:
“Trick or Treat versus Food As An Offering
Dressing Up versus Spirits of the Dead
Jack o Lantern versus Lights to Guide the Spirits
Fall Celebration versus New Year’s Celebration.”
To learn more about Halloween traditions, explore the children’s books below—they’re great resources!
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Lisa Nelson
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I read a book about this subject to my daughter today! The book is Halloween by Brenda Haugen and illustrated by Sheree Boyd. I am going to check out your list.
Is so nice to read about traditions where come from.
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