2008 Woodie Awards
The history and haunts of Halloween
A holiday of mysterious ancient religions
Sherri Daus
Issue date: 10/24/02 Section: Features
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Children dressed up as ghosts and witches haunt neighborhood houses in search of candy treats; people scare themselves silly with tours through dark and frightening haunted houses; jack-o-lanterns decorate porch steps, candles glowing within, illuminating faces carved in hideous fashions—Halloween has come again, bringing with it traditions and rituals that originated with ancient religious practices.
Halloween is believed to have its beginnings with the ancient Celts and Druids of Ireland and Britain in the first millennium B.C. Samhain, a festival of the dead, was held on October 31, marking the beginning of the Celtic new year. Sacrifices and bonfires were made in honor of Lug, the god of light. When the Roman Empire invaded and conquered the land, some Celtic traditions were adapted into the Roman culture and religious practices, including the festival of Samhain, although undergoing a few adjustments in order to accommodate Roman Catholic beliefs.
It wasn't until the Potato Famine in the 19th century that Irish immigrants came to America, bringing with them their traditions and rituals, including the celebration of Halloween. Use of symbols throughout the celebration was eventually adapted by Americans much the same way Romans adapted them in the first century.
Since supernatural powers were believed to be at work on that night, many people believed the future could be divined through elaborate rituals. One favorite practice was to fill a tub with water and place apples with identifying marks inside. By using only the teeth to fetch an apple from the tub, future husbands and wives could be determined.
The jack-o-lantern had its beginnings in a popular Irish legend. There was a man named Stingy Jack, who was well known for the mean tricks he would play on people. One day Jack played a trick on the devil, trapping him in a tree. Before he would let him down, Jack made the devil promise never to take his soul, and the devil agreed. Sometime later Jack died, but when he ascended to heaven he was refused because he was too mean. Jack descended to hell, but the devil wouldn't break his promise to Jack, refusing him there as well. The devil gave Jack a carved out beet with a light inside to light his way as he roamed between heaven and hell for eternity.
Today, the jack-o-lantern symbolizes an attempt to light the way for souls that may be traveling between the spiritual and earthly realms on Halloween. The Irish hollowed out turnips, beets, gourds, and potatoes and placed candles inside, then placed them on their doorsteps outside. When they came to America the immigrants found an abundant supply of pumpkins, which were very large and much easier to carve.
It was believed by Druids and Irish immigrants alike that dead spirits roamed the earth freely on Halloween, and people dressed in all sorts of ghoulish costumes hoping to trick the spirits and keep themselves from being possessed by them. Efforts were made to appease the spirits with gifts of food and animal sacrifices. The ancient Druids oftentimes carried out human sacrifices.
Today Halloween is predominately a children's holiday, but while sacrifices have been done away with, the vestiges of ancient religious practices still reign.
Halloween is believed to have its beginnings with the ancient Celts and Druids of Ireland and Britain in the first millennium B.C. Samhain, a festival of the dead, was held on October 31, marking the beginning of the Celtic new year. Sacrifices and bonfires were made in honor of Lug, the god of light. When the Roman Empire invaded and conquered the land, some Celtic traditions were adapted into the Roman culture and religious practices, including the festival of Samhain, although undergoing a few adjustments in order to accommodate Roman Catholic beliefs.
It wasn't until the Potato Famine in the 19th century that Irish immigrants came to America, bringing with them their traditions and rituals, including the celebration of Halloween. Use of symbols throughout the celebration was eventually adapted by Americans much the same way Romans adapted them in the first century.
Since supernatural powers were believed to be at work on that night, many people believed the future could be divined through elaborate rituals. One favorite practice was to fill a tub with water and place apples with identifying marks inside. By using only the teeth to fetch an apple from the tub, future husbands and wives could be determined.
The jack-o-lantern had its beginnings in a popular Irish legend. There was a man named Stingy Jack, who was well known for the mean tricks he would play on people. One day Jack played a trick on the devil, trapping him in a tree. Before he would let him down, Jack made the devil promise never to take his soul, and the devil agreed. Sometime later Jack died, but when he ascended to heaven he was refused because he was too mean. Jack descended to hell, but the devil wouldn't break his promise to Jack, refusing him there as well. The devil gave Jack a carved out beet with a light inside to light his way as he roamed between heaven and hell for eternity.
Today, the jack-o-lantern symbolizes an attempt to light the way for souls that may be traveling between the spiritual and earthly realms on Halloween. The Irish hollowed out turnips, beets, gourds, and potatoes and placed candles inside, then placed them on their doorsteps outside. When they came to America the immigrants found an abundant supply of pumpkins, which were very large and much easier to carve.
It was believed by Druids and Irish immigrants alike that dead spirits roamed the earth freely on Halloween, and people dressed in all sorts of ghoulish costumes hoping to trick the spirits and keep themselves from being possessed by them. Efforts were made to appease the spirits with gifts of food and animal sacrifices. The ancient Druids oftentimes carried out human sacrifices.
Today Halloween is predominately a children's holiday, but while sacrifices have been done away with, the vestiges of ancient religious practices still reign.