All Hallows Even

Have you ever wondered what Halloween is? Why is it celebrated on this day, and where did these rituals and traditions come from? Why people dress up in costumes and try to scare each other? If you do not know anything about this holiday, you are in luck. Let’s break it down.

The roots of this wonderful holiday predate the Christian era. Celtic tribes, living in England, Northern Ireland and France, divided the year into two parts - winter and summer. October 31 they considered the last day of the year. From that day, according to Celtic tradition, winter begins.

Celebrating the New Year occurred on the night of November 1. On this night, according to the ancient Celtic belief, the worlds of the living and the dead opened their doors, and the inhabitants of the other world made their way into ours. The Celts called that day Samhain, or the night of Samhain. In order not to become victims of spirits and ghosts, people put on animal skins to deter uninvited aliens and left treats outside for them. The symbol of the holiday was a pumpkin. It not only marks the end of summer and the harvest, but also scares away the evil spirits because the fire ignited inside the pumpkin was considered sacred.

This tradition was passed from generation to generation until the first century AD After the invasion of the Romans, Celts living in the British Isles were forced to abandon most of their pagan rituals and customs and embrace the Christian faith. However, the people remembered Samhain and passed the stories to their descendants.

According to the order made by Pope Gregory III in the ninth century, the feast of All Saints' Day was moved to November 1. The Christian church wanted to eradicate all pagan traditions, but the opposite happened - Samhain was being celebrated again. Pre-night in Old English, it sounded like All Hallows Even (All Saints Evening), or in short - Hallowe'en, is even shorter – Halloween.

Halloween is still celebrated in the tradition of Samhain. That night, people wear different costumes, masquerades and organize competitions. The main symbol of the holiday remains to be the fearsome pumpkin head with a lighted candle inside.