History of Halloween

Halloween parties have been given for centuries. However, its traditions have varied significantly through time. Learn how this celebration originated with the brief history of Halloween below.

Halloween, or the Hallow E'en as they call it in Ireland , means All Hallows Eve, or the night before the 'All Hallows', also called 'All Hallowmas', or 'All Saints', or 'All Souls' Day, observed on November 1. In old English the word 'Hallow' meant 'sanctify'. Roman Catholics, Episcopalians and Lutherians used to observe All Hallows Day to honor all Saints in heaven, known or unknown. They used to consider it with all solemnity as one of the most significant observances of the Church year.

The American version of Halloween Day celebration owes its origin to the ancient (pre-Christian) Druidic fire festival called "Samhain", celebrated by the Celts in Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Samhain is pronounced "sow-in", with "sow" rhyming with cow.

In Ireland the festival was known as Samhein, or La Samon, the Feast of the Sun. In Scotland, the celebration was known as Hallowe'en. According to the Irish English dictionary published by the Irish Texts Society: "Samhain, All Hallowtide, the feast of the dead in Pagan and Christian times, signalizing the close of harvest and the initiation of the winter season. Faeries were imagined as particularly active at this season.

Halloween has undergone many changes. From a pagan festival it was turned into a religious celebration and then it became again a pagan one. Some Halloween traditions date back to the time of the Celts, such as the Jack o' lantern. Others, such as the custom of wearing costumes and playing the pinata party game appear much later in the history of Halloween.