Halloween is one of the most celebrated holidays around the world. Many people celebrate this annual occasion with ghost costumes, witch, wizards, fairies, etc. Some designed their homes with creepy things; spiders, jack-o'-lantern, and even ghost itself. Parties are also being around the globe. But many of us don't know what Halloween really is. What's its origin? Is it just a norm to celebrate this day or there's more?
Halloween in Pagan Origin
According to Encyclopedia Britannica,
In ancient Britain and Ireland, the Celtic Festival of Samhain was observed on October 31, at the end of summer…. The souls of the dead were supposed to revisit their homes on this day and the autumnal festival acquired sinister significance, with ghosts, witches, goblins, black cats, fairies and demons of all kinds said to be roaming about. It was the time to placate the supernatural powers controlling the processes of nature. In addition, Halloween was thought to be the most favorable time for divinations concerning marriage, luck, health, and death. It was the only day on which the help of the devil was invoked for such purposes.
The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in ancient Britain and Ireland, mark this day as summer's end and the start of winter. Celts believe that corresponding to November 1, the new year begins and it is believed that during this day, the boundary between the world of the living and the dead are weak, so, the dead come to the world of the living to return to their homes. People set bonfires on hilltops to frighten away the evil spirits.
Halloween in Christianity
Pope Boniface IV (pope from 608 - 615) established May 31 as All Saint's Day and later on moved to November 1 by Pope Gregory III as expansion to include all saints together with Christian martyrs. The evening before All Saint's day became holy, or hallows eve, therefore; Halloween. Though, some speculations suggests that the church attempted to replace the Celtic's dead festival with Christian observance.
Halloween as Secular Holiday
As an effort to be apart from catholic tradition, reformation have put an end to celebrating Halloween among Protestants. But, being a secular holiday; Halloween is celebrated; and it comes with costumes and designs of ghosts, witch, devils, angels, and even super heroes, it also includes parties and pranks, trick-or-treats, and other fun games.
Whether pagan, secular, or religious, Halloween truly have a rich history behind itself. How about you? How do you celebrate Halloween?
Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Halloween
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Boniface-IV
http://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-halloween
http://www1.cbn.com/the-pagan-roots-of-halloween
Halloween in Pagan Origin
According to Encyclopedia Britannica,
In ancient Britain and Ireland, the Celtic Festival of Samhain was observed on October 31, at the end of summer…. The souls of the dead were supposed to revisit their homes on this day and the autumnal festival acquired sinister significance, with ghosts, witches, goblins, black cats, fairies and demons of all kinds said to be roaming about. It was the time to placate the supernatural powers controlling the processes of nature. In addition, Halloween was thought to be the most favorable time for divinations concerning marriage, luck, health, and death. It was the only day on which the help of the devil was invoked for such purposes.
The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in ancient Britain and Ireland, mark this day as summer's end and the start of winter. Celts believe that corresponding to November 1, the new year begins and it is believed that during this day, the boundary between the world of the living and the dead are weak, so, the dead come to the world of the living to return to their homes. People set bonfires on hilltops to frighten away the evil spirits.
Halloween in Christianity
Pope Boniface IV (pope from 608 - 615) established May 31 as All Saint's Day and later on moved to November 1 by Pope Gregory III as expansion to include all saints together with Christian martyrs. The evening before All Saint's day became holy, or hallows eve, therefore; Halloween. Though, some speculations suggests that the church attempted to replace the Celtic's dead festival with Christian observance.
Halloween as Secular Holiday
As an effort to be apart from catholic tradition, reformation have put an end to celebrating Halloween among Protestants. But, being a secular holiday; Halloween is celebrated; and it comes with costumes and designs of ghosts, witch, devils, angels, and even super heroes, it also includes parties and pranks, trick-or-treats, and other fun games.
Whether pagan, secular, or religious, Halloween truly have a rich history behind itself. How about you? How do you celebrate Halloween?
Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Halloween
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Boniface-IV
http://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-halloween
http://www1.cbn.com/the-pagan-roots-of-halloween
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