Every year, Halloween Day is celebrated on October 31, the evening before All Saints’ (or All Hallows’) Day. The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints. Soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.
History
The Halloween’s origin dates back to the medieval times when it was celebrated for a completely different reason.
The history tells that the Halloween had its origins in the festival of Samhain among the Celts of ancient Britain and Ireland.
On the day corresponding to November 1, the new year was believed to begin.
During the Samhain festival the souls of those who had died were believed to return to visit their homes, and those who had died during the year were believed to journey to the otherworld.
On the day, some people used to decorate their homes and cook delicious dishes to welcome the spirits of their ancestors, while some used to set bonfires to ward away evil spirits and also by dressing up as demons and witches to avoid being recognised.
So, this is how witches, hobgoblins, fairies and demons came to be associated with the Halloween Day.
Celebrations
In today’s time, on the Halloween Day people dress up and visit other homes for trick or treating.
People across the US and the Europe celebrate the Halloween through several ways such as by hosting Halloween-theme based parties, screening of horror movies, and Halloween-themed games.
For some people Halloween is the perfect time to slay a spooky look.
For the Halloween festival celebrations some people transform their home into a haunted mansion and turn their space into a post-apocalyptic world infested with zombies.
