Halloween is a celebration with an interesting and complex history, steeped in superstition and supernatural happenings.. Halloween is an observance that dates back thousands of years, to ancient Celtic rituals. Halloween is often associated with images of otherworldly and supernatural creatures, such as witches and ghosts.
Today Halloween is observed in a lighthearted way that is only slightly reminiscent of the deeper celebrations of the Celtic and Roman times. Many of the traditions that are observed today, have origins that go back as far as 2,000 years. Customs such as wearing costumes, bonfires, bobbing for apples and jack-o-lanterns all have historical origins.
Ancient Celtic Festival Samhain
The origin of Halloween, according to History.com goes back to an ancient Celtic festival called Samhain. 2,000 years ago, the Celts lived in the area now known as Ireland, the United Kingdom and Northern France. The Celts celebrated their new year on November 1. They believed that this marked the end of summer and the beginning of the cold. dark winter. The winter was the time of year associated with death. The Celts believed that on the eve of the new year, October 31, the worlds of the living and dead became blurred. The otherworldly spirits were believed to cause trouble and damage crops. Celts believed that the presence of spirits made it easier for the Celtic priests, or Druids, to predict the future. Druids built huge bonfires. People gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities.
The Celts wore costumes during the celebration, usually consisting of animal heads and hides.
Roman Festivals of Feralia and Pomona
The Romans conquered the Celts by AD 43 and ruled the Celtic lands for 400 years. Two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain. The festivals were Feralia and Pomona. Feralia was a day that commemorated the passing of the dead. Pomona honored the Roman goddess of fruit and trees.
The symbol of Pomona is the apple. The incorporation of Pomona probably accounts for the tradition of bobbing for apples.
