All Hallows Eve

All Hallows Eve

October 31st has its many names, Summer’s end, All Hallow’s Eve, Witches Night, but it is mostly known as Halloween. The reasons for the traditions began back more then two thousand years ago. Being one of the oldest holidays to be celebrated, Halloween is well known for dressing up in a wide variety of costumes and people, eating treats, playing tricks on family and friends, and telling scary stories around a bonfire. About two thousand years ago, this day was a day of the Celtic festival called “Samhain” when it was the end of summer and the beginning of the Celtic New Year. With it being a day of change, it was looked at as a day of magic. It was believed on this day, the Lord of Death “Saman” called all the souls that had passed away the previous year to walk to the afterlife, walking the streets of the living. The reason people dressed up in costumes was to disguise themselves so they were not harmed or noticed while the dead walked the streets. The dead souls were offered food and treats to keep them from causing trouble as was Saman.
When the Romans took over Celtic land, right before the birth of Christ, they changed some of their traditions and ways of Halloween. They added and changed some of the symbols. They altered the festival of Pomona which was a celebration for the Roman Goddess of the harvest Pomona on November 1st and it was the feast of nuts and fruits to Samhain’s autumn celebrations. Apples were mostly recognized with Pomona and were a symbol of love. They started using apples, and sometimes nuts, to predict someone’s future husband or wife. The Celtics and Romans made a night for the dead and romance.
It was not until the nineteenth Century that Halloween came to the United States.
Commercialization of the holiday began in the 20th Century. Halloween is one of the most popular of American holidays, and one of the most commercially successful. The celebration has become very popular around the world. Halloween parties and...