What is the history of “Halloween”?
What is the history of “Halloween”?
and how did the pumpkin tradition start?
Pagans celebrate holidays based on the earth - the two greatest being the solstices - the longest and shortest days of the year. The two 'smaller' holidays are those two days right in between. Samhain (Halloween) lies between the summer solstice and the winter solstice, and is regarded because the daylight hours are equal to the darkness hours. It also signals the end of summer and the beginning of the winter, and is therefor the New Year (or New Year's eve, as November 1st was actually the day). Hence, 'all Hallow's Eve'. (this dates back to Celts, Egyptians, pre-Spanish cultures and more)
It was also believed that because of the year's changing, the veil between the living and the dead was at it's thinnest (thinner closer to midnight) so that the dead of the last year were able to visit one last time, and the living could gaze into the future. One was would have obtained the most accurate readings in the tarot, tea leaves, etc.
The name Halloween was created by Christianity. As it was viewed by the church to be 'evil' to see the future, or try to do so, they allowed it only as a feast to the dead. Within the church, the only dead permitted to be celebrated were those hallowed (made holy) through doing 'God's' work. All of the scary bits have either been mis-translated or made up by the church to terrify non-believers to come to the church.
Various traditions still have those pagan roots
~candles symbolize torches lit to light the way back for deceased loved ones
~Jack-O-Lanterns were carried by travelers - light for their walk, and the scary face to frighten away the looming spirits that may be malicious.
~other things have developed through the years out of improper translations, like the image of the witch. Check out the second link below, another yahoo answer-er posted it in his response.
Looking for spooky Halloween decorations? Learn how to use lighting and dry ice to decorate your house in this free video clip about planning an adult Halloween party.
Looking for Halloween party decorations? Learn about covering chairs with ghost in this free video clip about Halloween party ideas.
Tutorial of how to make a super easy Halloween Card! Hugs, Ashley
