Halloween (or Hallowe’en) is originally a Celtic holiday, celebrated in the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, and other Anglo-Saxon countries. The date of Halloween is the same every year, celebrated on October 31, the day before the Christian feast of All Saints. Symbols of Halloween include pumpkins, costumes, masks, and spooky decorations.
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Table of Contents
History and Origins of Halloween
The name Halloween is an abbreviation of the phrase All Hallows’ Eve, which in Old English referred to the eve of All Saints’ Day. People commemorate their deceased ancestors on this day. The first mention of the holiday dates back to about 1745, and the name has evolved over the years until Halloween was established.
The history of Halloween dates back to the Samhain festivities when the Scottish Celts celebrated the end of the harvest season and the arrival of winter, the darker part of the year. Since the 16th century, it was customary to go in costume from house to house and collect food in exchange for a poem or carol. The ghostly costumes were meant to represent the souls of the dead.
Halloween spread to America with the mass immigration of the Irish and Scots in the 19th century. The Puritans (English Reformed Protestants) of New England in the eastern USA were initially opposed to the celebration of Halloween.
🗓️ When Is Halloween in 2024
The date of Halloween is the same every year, always celebrated on October 31. In the USA, it is a national holiday.
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Halloween Symbols
🎃 Jack-O’-Lanterns
Pumpkins are the most well-known symbol of Halloween. Candles are inserted into them to help trick-or-treaters navigate the darkened streets. The ghostly face on the pumpkin is supposed to ward off evil spirits.
In the USA, the orange pumpkin is known as a jack-o’-lantern. Interestingly, the Scots and Irish originally carved turnips (similar to beets). Immigrants in America chose the pumpkin because it is easier to carve and the result is scarier.
🧙♀️ Witches
According to superstition, witches accompany evil spirits on their travels. People feared them and believed that witches possessed the most power on Halloween.
👻 Costumes
Masks were used by celebrating Celts to confuse evil spirits. People at the time believed that by dressing up in scary costumes, they could fool the spirits and they would leave them alone. Americans began dressing up in costumes in the early 20th century, primarily for fun.
🐈 Cats
The cat was considered a sacred creature by the Egyptians, who worshipped it as the goddess of the harvest. In the Middle Ages, black cats were seen as pets of witches, and so they have endured as a symbol of Halloween to this day.
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Halloween Traditions, Customs and Games
🕸️ Trick-or-Treating
Trick-or-treating translates to “Give me a treat or I’ll play a trick on you” and is the most well-known Halloween tradition. Costumed children go around the neighborhood singing carols and receiving small candies in return. If a homeowner is stingy and won’t open the door, they may find a harmless prank played on them. The caroling always takes place after dark.
🕸️ Horror Stories
Horror stories are shared by older children with each other. The scarier, the better. Many shows air special witch episodes during Halloween week.
🕸️ Halloween Parade
Parades are held in major cities, with children competing for the most original and scariest mask. The most famous is New York’s The Village Halloween Parade. Read also other Halloween Fun Facts.
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