THE ORIGINS OF HALLOWEEN

The Origins  The Celts who lived 2000 years ago in the lands we now call Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, used to celebrate their new year on Nov. 1. (Festival of Samhain)

Origins continued…  The Celts believed the night before the new year (Oct. 31st) erased the boundaries between the worlds of the living and the dead.

Continued…  The Celts believed that the dead would return to Earth as evil spirits just to cause trouble. The spirits were known for destroying crops or ruining homes etc.  They also believed that their priests (Druids) could talk to the dead and find out about the up coming new year. The Druids would ask the spirits how terrible the winter would be or if sickness would come to their people etc.  The Celts believed that the dead would return to Earth as evil spirits just to cause trouble. The spirits were known for destroying crops or ruining homes etc.  They also believed that their priests (Druids) could talk to the dead and find out about the up coming new year. The Druids would ask the spirits how terrible the winter would be or if sickness would come to their people etc.

Continued…  To honor the spirits and the Celtic Gods on that day, the Celts lit huge bonfires where they sacrificed large animals and crops to prove their commitment so the spirits would not harm them.

Origins continued…  While watching their goods burn they wore costumes and masks made of animal heads and skin.  They also told their fortunes to each other as if they were the priests speaking to the dead, predicting each others futures.  While watching their goods burn they wore costumes and masks made of animal heads and skin.  They also told their fortunes to each other as if they were the priests speaking to the dead, predicting each others futures.

After the celebration ended…  The Celts relit their hearth fires and brought their torches back to their homes to keep the evil spirits away and to continue the celebration a little while longer.  They lit the inside of a carved turnip to preserve the light from the holy bonfire. (Perhaps modern day jack-o'-lanterns.)  The Celts relit their hearth fires and brought their torches back to their homes to keep the evil spirits away and to continue the celebration a little while longer.  They lit the inside of a carved turnip to preserve the light from the holy bonfire. (Perhaps modern day jack-o'-lanterns.)

The Roman Influence  Once the Romans had conquered the lands where the Celts were living, the Romans changed the Festival of Samhain by adding a Roman spin to it.  It included honoring the dead and honoring the fruit and harvest goddess Pomona.  Once the Romans had conquered the lands where the Celts were living, the Romans changed the Festival of Samhain by adding a Roman spin to it.  It included honoring the dead and honoring the fruit and harvest goddess Pomona.

Christian Influence  Eventually when Christianity surfaced in Rome the Pope changed this Holiday to incorporate the new religious standards.  He turned the holiday into “All Saints Day” to honor all of the Christian people that helped spread Christianity or that did honorary Christian work.  Eventually when Christianity surfaced in Rome the Pope changed this Holiday to incorporate the new religious standards.  He turned the holiday into “All Saints Day” to honor all of the Christian people that helped spread Christianity or that did honorary Christian work.

All Saints Day-Halloween  Alholowmesse- Means “All Saints Day” in Middle English Language  Eventually Alholomesse turned in to All- Hallowmass  All-Hallowmass eventually turned in to Hallowmass  Hallowmass turned in to “Halloween”  Alholowmesse- Means “All Saints Day” in Middle English Language  Eventually Alholomesse turned in to All- Hallowmass  All-Hallowmass eventually turned in to Hallowmass  Hallowmass turned in to “Halloween”

Halloween-An American Holiday  When Europeans immigrated to the United States they brought their Holiday ‘Halloween’ with them.  However, the Protestants of this country wanted to strip the religious part of the holiday and make it more about the fall harvest.  Bobbing for apples is one of the events that came out of this new harvest festival.  When Europeans immigrated to the United States they brought their Holiday ‘Halloween’ with them.  However, the Protestants of this country wanted to strip the religious part of the holiday and make it more about the fall harvest.  Bobbing for apples is one of the events that came out of this new harvest festival.

Halloween-An Irish-American Holiday  When the Irish potato famine occurred in 1846 many Irish immigrants came to America and brought their version of Halloween with them.  Dressing up in costumes, celebrating with family and friends (trick-or-treating), lighting fires (jack-o-lanterns), etc.  When the Irish potato famine occurred in 1846 many Irish immigrants came to America and brought their version of Halloween with them.  Dressing up in costumes, celebrating with family and friends (trick-or-treating), lighting fires (jack-o-lanterns), etc.

Thanks for Halloween!  So if you like Halloween than you should thank all of the people that contributed to this fun filled holiday that we all celebrate today!  Ancient Celts  Ancient Romans  European Immigrants (Specifically Irish Immigrants)  Generations of Americans that improved and created new traditions that make Halloween what it is today!  So if you like Halloween than you should thank all of the people that contributed to this fun filled holiday that we all celebrate today!  Ancient Celts  Ancient Romans  European Immigrants (Specifically Irish Immigrants)  Generations of Americans that improved and created new traditions that make Halloween what it is today!

Have a happy and safe Halloween!  Always trick or treat with friends or family.  Only go to houses if they have their lights on.  Always say “Trick or Treat!” when the door opens.  Always say “Thank you!” after someone gives you candy.  Always share candy with your family, friends, and teachers!  Have a fun filled spooky day!  Always trick or treat with friends or family.  Only go to houses if they have their lights on.  Always say “Trick or Treat!” when the door opens.  Always say “Thank you!” after someone gives you candy.  Always share candy with your family, friends, and teachers!  Have a fun filled spooky day!