WHAT IS HALLOWEEN?

More that 2,000 years ago the Celts celebrated the beginning of winter on the evening of October 31st. November 1st was the first day of their new year and it also marked the first day of winter. The Celts thought that during the winter the dead and the living existed simultaneously because it was on this day that the dead roamed the earth.

Halloween’s origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in).

Christians changed the history of Halloween forever; November 1st became known as All Saints Day or All-Hallows. The Christians honored the dead on this day too. The evening of October 31st soon became known as All-Hallows Eve and was eventually changed to Halloween.

The ancient festivals honoring the dead revolved around the belief in ghosts mingling with the living. Therefore it is appropriate that ghosts are so often linked to contemporary celebrations.

Dressing in costume is also a very popular way to celebrate the spooky holiday. Dressing up in costumes relates to the Celtic tradition of wearing masks on All-Hallows Eve. People would disguise themselves so that they would be unrecognizable to ghosts.