| Halloween |
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History of Halloween, like any other festival's history is inspired through traditions that have
transpired through ages from one generation to another. We follow them mostly as did our dads
and grandpas. And as this process goes on, much of their originality get distorted with newer
additions and alterations. It happens so gradually, spanning over so many ages, that we hardly
come to know about these distortions. At one point of time it leaves us puzzled, with its
multicolored faces. Digging into its history helps sieve out the facts from the fantasies which
caught us unaware. Yet, doubts still lurk deep in our soul, especially when the reality differs
from what has taken a deep seated root into our beliefs. The history of Halloween Day, as culled
from the net, is being depicted here in this light. This is to help out those who are interested in
washing off the superficial hues to reach the core and know things as they truly are. 'Trick or
treat' may be an innocent fun to relish on the Halloween Day. But just think about a bunch of
frightening fantasies and the scary stories featuring ghosts, witches, monsters, evils, elves and
animal sacrifices associated with it. They are no more innocent. Are these stories a myth or
there is a blend of some reality? Come and plunge into the halloween history to unfurl yourself
the age-old veil of mysticism draped around it.
halloween history
bobbingBehind the name... 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. And Catholics, all and sundry, was obliged to
attend Mass. The Romans observed the holiday of Feralia, intended to give rest and peace to
the departed. Participants made sacrifices in honor of the dead, offered up prayers for them,
and made oblations to them. The festival was celebrated on February 21, the end of the Roman
year. In the 7th century, Pope Boniface IV introduced All Saints' Day to replace the pagan festival
of the dead. It was observed on May 13. Later, Gregory III changed the date to November 1. The
Greek Orthodox Church observes it on the first Sunday after Pentecost. Despite this connection
with the Roman Church, 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. In Welsh it's Nos Galen-gaeof (that is, the Night of the
Winter Calends. 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, lasting till May, during which troops (esp.
the Fiann) were quartered. Faeries were imagined as particularly active at this season. From it
the half year is reckoned. also called Feile Moingfinne (Snow Goddess).(1) The Scottish Gaelis
Dictionary defines it as "Hallowtide. The Feast of All Soula. Sam + Fuin = end of summer."(2)
Contrary to the information published by many organizations, there is no archaeological or
literary evidence to indicate that Samhain was a deity. The Celtic Gods of the dead were Gwynn
ap Nudd for the British, and Arawn for the Welsh. The Irish did not have a "lord of death" as
such. Thus most of the customs connected with the Day are remnants of the ancient religious
beliefs and rituals, first of the Druids and then transcended amongst the Roman Christians who
conquered them.
transpired through ages from one generation to another. We follow them mostly as did our dads
and grandpas. And as this process goes on, much of their originality get distorted with newer
additions and alterations. It happens so gradually, spanning over so many ages, that we hardly
come to know about these distortions. At one point of time it leaves us puzzled, with its
multicolored faces. Digging into its history helps sieve out the facts from the fantasies which
caught us unaware. Yet, doubts still lurk deep in our soul, especially when the reality differs
from what has taken a deep seated root into our beliefs. The history of Halloween Day, as culled
from the net, is being depicted here in this light. This is to help out those who are interested in
washing off the superficial hues to reach the core and know things as they truly are. 'Trick or
treat' may be an innocent fun to relish on the Halloween Day. But just think about a bunch of
frightening fantasies and the scary stories featuring ghosts, witches, monsters, evils, elves and
animal sacrifices associated with it. They are no more innocent. Are these stories a myth or
there is a blend of some reality? Come and plunge into the halloween history to unfurl yourself
the age-old veil of mysticism draped around it.
halloween history
bobbingBehind the name... 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. And Catholics, all and sundry, was obliged to
attend Mass. The Romans observed the holiday of Feralia, intended to give rest and peace to
the departed. Participants made sacrifices in honor of the dead, offered up prayers for them,
and made oblations to them. The festival was celebrated on February 21, the end of the Roman
year. In the 7th century, Pope Boniface IV introduced All Saints' Day to replace the pagan festival
of the dead. It was observed on May 13. Later, Gregory III changed the date to November 1. The
Greek Orthodox Church observes it on the first Sunday after Pentecost. Despite this connection
with the Roman Church, 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. In Welsh it's Nos Galen-gaeof (that is, the Night of the
Winter Calends. 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, lasting till May, during which troops (esp.
the Fiann) were quartered. Faeries were imagined as particularly active at this season. From it
the half year is reckoned. also called Feile Moingfinne (Snow Goddess).(1) The Scottish Gaelis
Dictionary defines it as "Hallowtide. The Feast of All Soula. Sam + Fuin = end of summer."(2)
Contrary to the information published by many organizations, there is no archaeological or
literary evidence to indicate that Samhain was a deity. The Celtic Gods of the dead were Gwynn
ap Nudd for the British, and Arawn for the Welsh. The Irish did not have a "lord of death" as
such. Thus most of the customs connected with the Day are remnants of the ancient religious
beliefs and rituals, first of the Druids and then transcended amongst the Roman Christians who
conquered them.
| reference: The Holiday Spot |
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