The History of Halloween Traditions

 

Halloween is one of the most beloved holidays of the year, at least in my house. In fact, my kids start thinking about their Halloween costumes as early as late August. After all, it’s so much fun dressing up and going from house to house collecting candy. But with all the excitement surrounding tricks, treats, and costumes, have you ever wondered where 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.

Traditionally, it was also a time to remember loved ones who had 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 something to eat and drink. According to tradition, the souls would then revisit their former homes, seeking hospitality.

Modern Halloween

In the 9^th century, Western Christianity created All Saints’ Day to honor the saints of the Church (celebrated on November 1^st) and All Souls’ Day, which commemorates the faithfully departed (celebrated on November 2^nd). Over time, these three festivities- All Saints, All Souls, and Samhain merged and originated the modern-day Halloween.

We celebrate Halloween on October 31^st 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!

• The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat (First Time Books)
• Pinkalicious: Pink or Treat!
• Room on the Broom
• The Itsy Bitsy Pumpkin
• Sam & the Samhain Scare: A Wheel of the Year Book
• The Night of Samhain: A Halloween Fairy Scary Story
• Jack’s magic Samhain: A Heartwarming Story About Samhain Traditions, Honoring Ancestors, and Celebrating Nature

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• 10 Pieces of Famous Art For Kids to Recreate This Halloween
• Celebrating Halloween as a Multicultural Family