Halloween History
History of Halloween
Close to $7 billion dollars is what consumers spent on Halloween costumes, candy, and decorations in 2011. When the temperature starts to drop, the leaves turn different colors and the sun sets earlier little by little each day, fall is the perfect season to celebrate Halloween. Millions of children dress up and go to strangers doors begging for candy. Have you ever wondered where this strange and unique tradition originated from? -- The three most important points of Halloween can be summed up by looking at its origins, how it came to include jack-o-lanterns and bobbing for apples, and how it is celebrated today with trick-or-treating and haunted houses.
Halloween, also known as All Hallows' Eve, has originated from …show more content…
October 31 was the day the ancient Gaels believed the boundaries overlapped between the worlds of the living and the dead, and the departed souls would come back to life and cause mayhem such as damaged crops and sickness. The Gaels built massive bonfires and summoned the help from gods through animal and possibly human sacrifices to ward of the spirits. It is believed that the fires attracted insects to the area which in turn attracted bats. These are additional features of the history of Halloween. Halloween is also thought to be influenced by the Christian holy days of All Saints' Day, also known as Hallowmas, and All Souls' Day falling on November 1 and 2. It was a time for honoring the saints and praying for the deceased who had yet to reach …show more content…
It was believed at the time the souls of the departed would wait for passage into heaven until enough people prayed for their souls. "Soul cakes" would be given in exchange for a song, performance, or another sort of "trick" in some cultures. Eventually, children embraced this practice and were given money, food, and ale.
Jack o 'lanterns are a Halloween staple today, with at least two historical roots. The first is the pagan Celtic people carved turnips and rutabagas to hold hot coal from the bonfire to light their homes and ward off the evil
Close to $7 billion dollars is what consumers spent on Halloween costumes, candy, and decorations in 2011. When the temperature starts to drop, the leaves turn different colors and the sun sets earlier little by little each day, fall is the perfect season to celebrate Halloween. Millions of children dress up and go to strangers doors begging for candy. Have you ever wondered where this strange and unique tradition originated from? -- The three most important points of Halloween can be summed up by looking at its origins, how it came to include jack-o-lanterns and bobbing for apples, and how it is celebrated today with trick-or-treating and haunted houses.
Halloween, also known as All Hallows' Eve, has originated from …show more content…
October 31 was the day the ancient Gaels believed the boundaries overlapped between the worlds of the living and the dead, and the departed souls would come back to life and cause mayhem such as damaged crops and sickness. The Gaels built massive bonfires and summoned the help from gods through animal and possibly human sacrifices to ward of the spirits. It is believed that the fires attracted insects to the area which in turn attracted bats. These are additional features of the history of Halloween. Halloween is also thought to be influenced by the Christian holy days of All Saints' Day, also known as Hallowmas, and All Souls' Day falling on November 1 and 2. It was a time for honoring the saints and praying for the deceased who had yet to reach …show more content…
It was believed at the time the souls of the departed would wait for passage into heaven until enough people prayed for their souls. "Soul cakes" would be given in exchange for a song, performance, or another sort of "trick" in some cultures. Eventually, children embraced this practice and were given money, food, and ale.
Jack o 'lanterns are a Halloween staple today, with at least two historical roots. The first is the pagan Celtic people carved turnips and rutabagas to hold hot coal from the bonfire to light their homes and ward off the evil