Halloween, or All Hallows' Eve, is a holiday with a rich, varied and sometimes dark history that spans centuries. Celebrated on the night of October 31st, it’s a mystifying brew of Celtic, Roman, Christian and American cultural traditions. Here is an extensive history of Halloween, including some grim legends associated with the All Hallows Tide.

Ancient Origins

Halloween's origins can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of "Samuin" or "Samónios," — now Samhain (pronounced "sow-in"). Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter in the Celtic calendar, around November 1st. By all intents and purposes, the Celts only really concerned themselves with Winter and Summer — or the light half and dark half of the year.

The Celts, who mostly lived in what is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, believed that during this time of year, the boundary between the living and the dead blurred. For this reason, they may have thought that spirits who came to earth had the power to affect the living, causing harm to crops and livestock or offering insight into the future. It was a time when spirits, both benevolent and malevolent, could pass between these realms and walk the Earth.

Samhain was traditionally observed on the evening of October 31st and continued into November 1st, coinciding with this end of the harvest season and the beginning of the darker, colder half of the year — an in between, or liminal time. The Celts celebrated or observed this shadowy occasion with several activities:

Bonfires: One of the most notable customs during Samhain was the lighting of large communal bonfires. These bonfires had both practical and symbolic purposes. They provided warmth as the weather grew colder, and they were believed to have protective and purifying properties to ward off malevolent spirits.
Costumes and Disguises: To protect themselves from malevolent spirits, the Celts often dressed in costumes and masks. These disguises were intended to confuse or scare away any spirits that might be wandering about.
Offerings: The Celts would also make offerings of food and drink to appease the spirits and seek their favor. This was a way to ensure a good harvest in the coming year and to honor deceased ancestors.
Divination: Samhain was considered a time of heightened divination. Druids, the religious leaders of the Celts, often conducted rituals to predict the future and gain insight into the coming year.
Harvest Celebrations: As Samhain also marked the end of the harvest season, and it was a time for Harvest celebrations and feasting. It was an opportunity to enjoy the fruits of the year's labor and store food for the coming winter.

In terms of Transitioning into Winter, Samhain symbolized the transition from the warm, abundant days of summer to the colder, darker days. It was a time for communities to come together and prepare for the challenges of the coming season.

Many of these customs associated with Samhain, such as bonfires, costumes, and offerings, have persisted and evolved into the modern traditions of Halloween. While the spiritual and religious elements of the festival have largely faded — strictly where Halloween is concerned — the sense of a connection between the living and the dead remains a central theme of Halloween.

However, the Celtic festival now known as Samhain is not the only ancient influence on modern day Halloween. Enter Rome and Roman influence.

When the Roman Empire conquered Celtic territories, some of their traditions merged with Samhain. For example, the festival of Feralia, a day to honor the dead, and a celebration of Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees, contributed to Halloween's development:

Feralia was an ancient Roman festival held on February 21st, which was a day dedicated to honoring the dead and paying respects to deceased ancestors:

Origin and Purpose:
Feralia was a part of the Roman religious calendar and was primarily focused on remembering and honoring the spirits of the deceased. It was considered a time to appease and pay respects to the souls of the departed. We can see the similarities here, if not in the case of the time of year.
Customs and Practices:
On Feralia, Romans would visit cemeteries or tombs of their deceased relatives. They would bring offerings such as flowers, wreaths, and other symbolic gifts to place on the graves. The offerings were meant to appease the spirits of the departed and ensure their peaceful rest in the afterlife.
People would also perform rituals and ceremonies to commemorate the dead. These rituals might involve lighting candles, making prayers, or offering food and wine to the deceased.
Quiet and Solemn Observance:
Feralia was also a day of quiet and somber reflection. It was considered inappropriate to engage in festivities or celebrations on this day. People were expected to show reverence and respect for the spirits of the dead.
Transition to All Saints' Day:
However, Feralia, along with several other festivals dedicated to the dead, had an influence on the development of Christian practices related to honoring the deceased. In particular, it is thought to have influenced the establishment of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day in the Christian calendar.

Christianization

In the 7th century, the Catholic Church established All Saints' Day on November 1st, also known as All Hallows' Day. The night before became All Hallows' Eve, or Halloween. This was an attempt to Christianize the Celtic Samhain, incorporating it into the church calendar.

The establishment of All Saints' Day on November 1st by the Catholic Church can be traced back to the early Christian efforts to Christianize existing pagan festivals and to honor the multitude of saints who did not have specific feast days. Here is an approximation of how and why the Catholic Church came to establish All Saints' Day on November 1st:

Pagan Influence: In the early days of the Christian Church, there was a concerted effort to convert pagan populations to Christianity. One common approach was to adapt or replace existing pagan festivals with Christian ones. This strategy was intended to make the transition to Christianity more acceptable and familiar to pagan converts.
Harvest and Ancestral Festivals: In many parts of the Roman Empire, including parts of Europe, there were various harvest and ancestral pagan festivals that focused on the the changing of seasons, and the remembrance of the dead. These included the Roman festivals of Feralia and Lemuria — a festival similar to Feralia but taking place in May and focused on appeasing and warding off malevolent spirits, particularly the restless, vengeful spirits of the deceased, known as "Lemures" or "Larvae," differing from Feralia, which was focused on honoring the spirits of the deceased and ensuring their peaceful rest — and the Celtic festival of Samhain, which occurred around the same time as the modern Halloween.
The Christian Response was to provide an alternative to these pagan festivals and to honor the numerous martyrs and saints of the Christian faith, the Church established a feast day called All Saints' Day (also known as All Hallows or Hallowmas) and it was intended to serve as a Christian replacement for the earlier pagan celebrations.
Pope Boniface IV: The precise origins of All Saints' Day are not entirely clear, but Pope Boniface IV is often credited with dedicating an old Roman temple, known at the time as the Pantheon, as the Christian church, "St. Mary and the Martyrs," on May 13, 609 after the Byzantine emperor Phocas gave the building to him. To quote John the Deacon in The Pantheon: Design, Meaning, and Progeny by William L. MacDonald:
“Another Pope, Boniface, asked the same [Emperor Phocas, in Constantinople] to order that in the old temple called the Pantheon, after the pagan filth was removed, a church should be made, to the holy virgin Mary and all the martyrs, so that the commemoration of the saints would take place henceforth where not gods but demons were formerly worshipped.”
This quote offers evidence of the Christian perspective on pagans as well as the demonization of pagan gods. This new church was intended to serve as a place to honor all Christian martyrs and saints, and it is considered one of the earliest instances of a day dedicated to all saints.
Gregory III and November 1st: In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III expanded the celebration of All Saints' Day to the entire Church and moved the date from May 13th to November 1st. The reasons for this change are not entirely clear, but it is thought to have been influenced by the fact that November 1st coincided with existing pagan festivals, such as Samhain, and also marked the beginning of the colder, darker part of the year. By co-opting this date, the Church aimed to provide a Christian alternative to the various pagan observances.
All Saints' Day: Over time, All Saints' Day evolved into a day for honoring not only martyrs but also all the faithful departed who had achieved sainthood. It became a day of remembrance for the saints and all deceased loved ones.
All Souls' Day: In addition to All Saints' Day, the Church later established All Souls' Day on November 2nd to specifically pray for and remember all the faithful departed who had not yet attained the status of sainthood. This day complements All Saints' Day.

Today, All Saints' Day, on November 1st, remains an important feast in the Catholic Church and is a time to honor and celebrate all saints, known and unknown, and it continues the tradition of Christianizing earlier pagan observances while also reflecting the Christian belief in the communion of saints.

The destruction of the temple and the idol of Apollo, Byzantine mosaic

Conflicts

The transition from Samhain to All Saints' Day, like the Christianization of many pagan festivals — and pagans themselves — likely involved some conflicts and resistance, but historical records are limited. Today, scholars as well as enthusiasts argue whether pagans were brutally forced into Christianity through unspeakable atrocities or that the transition was not so horrific. In actuality, it’s just not as simple as one or the other — and nothing really ever is. Chances are that both parties are correct and the truth of Pagan Christianization is much more nuanced. Here are some important points to consider regarding potential conflicts during this transition:

Resistance to Christianization:
When Christianity began to spread into regions where pagan traditions like Samhain were deeply rooted, there was very likely some resistance from those who held onto their traditional beliefs and practices. Understandably! The conversion process was not always smooth.
Cultural Adaptation:
On the other hand, in some cases the Church may have adapted its practices to incorporate elements of the existing pagan festivals to make the transition to Christianity more acceptable to the local population. This adaptation could have minimized conflicts.
Coexistence and Syncretism:
In some instances, the Christian and pagan traditions coexisted and blended together. This syncretism, the merging of religious beliefs and practices, allowed for a smoother transition, but it also preserved some elements of the older traditions within the new Christian framework.
Imposing Christian Holidays:
In many cases, the Church might have actively discouraged or even prohibited pagan practices in favor of Christian ones, which could have led to conflicts or resistance. The Church often sought to assert its authority and dominance over traditional practices.
A Gradual Process:
The transition from pagan festivals to Christian holidays, like All Saints' Day, was typically a gradual process that took place over centuries. As a result, conflicts and resistance may have been sporadic and regional but the ultimate absorption and eventual erasure of many pagan traditions proved inevitable with time. The church had time on it’s side — something pagan populations seemed to be running out of.
Geographical Variations:
The acceptance and integration of Christian holidays over pagan ones likely varied by region. In some areas, the transition may have been relatively smooth, while in others, there may have been significant conflicts.
Documentary Evidence:
Unfortunately, there are limited historical records that provide detailed accounts of specific conflicts during the transition from Samhain to All Saints' Day. Much of what we know is based on historical and archaeological research. I’m sure most of us can look at human history and make some safe assumptions here but, sadly, the documentation is lacking — and as we know, history is written by the victors.

Overall, there were very likely some conflicts and resistance associated with the transition from Samhain to All Saints' Day but the degree and nature of these conflicts varied from place to place and over time. The Christianization of pagan festivals often involved a mix of accommodation, adaptation, and, in some cases, complete imposition of new traditions, making it very challenging to generalize about the nature of these conflicts.

Medieval Times

Throughout the Middle Ages, Halloween — the night before all Saints Day — evolved in Europe, incorporating elements from various cultures. Traditional activities included lighting bonfires, “souling,” which evolved into what we know as trick-or-treating today, dressing in costumes to ward off spirits, and carving turnips or beets.

Carving turnips or beets as part of Halloween traditions has its roots in Celtic folklore and the legend of "Stingy Jack." The practice predates the use of pumpkins for carving, which became more common when Halloween traditions were brought to North America. Here's the legend behind the carving of turnips or beets:

The Legend of Stingy Jack

The legend of carving turnips or beets is closely associated with a character known as "Stingy Jack," a mischievous and deceitful man from Irish folklore. He was known for playing tricks on everyone he encountered, including the Devil.

Deal with the Devil: According to the legend, Stingy Jack managed to trick the Devil on multiple occasions. In one story, he invited the Devil for a drink but didn't want to pay for it. He convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin to pay for the drinks. Jack placed the coin in his pocket alongside a silver cross, preventing the Devil from returning to his original form.

Fate of Stingy Jack: Jack eventually made a deal with the Devil that he would release him in exchange for the Devil's promise not to claim his soul when he died. When Jack eventually passed away, he found himself unable to enter Heaven due to his misdeeds, and the Devil, true to his word, refused to take him to Hell. Also, having already been fooled by Jack on multiple occasions, the devil wanted nothing more to do with him and refused to let him enter. Instead, he sent him off into the night with only a burning lump of coal in a hollowed-out turnip to guide his way.

Wandering Spirit: So Jack’s spirit was left to wander the Earth with only this lit, carved turnip to light his way. He became known as "Jack of the Lantern" or "Jack O'Lantern."

A Tradition is Born: As this tale spread through communities, people began carving grotesque faces into turnips or beets and placing a candle inside, to ward off the spirit of Stingy Jack and other malevolent entities. The idea was to mimic Jack's lantern and keep him away from their homes on Halloween night – as well as any other unwanted visitors.

Enter the Pumpkin: When Irish immigrants brought their Halloween traditions to North America, they discovered that pumpkins were more readily available and much easier to carve than turnips or beets. As a result, the tradition of carving pumpkins into Jack O'Lanterns became popular in the United States and eventually spread around the world. Today, the carving of pumpkins is one of the most iconic and recognizable symbols of Halloween.

… And this brings us to the immigration of Halloween to America…

Halloween Comes to America

Halloween was brought to North America by Irish and Scottish immigrants in the 19th century where it began to take on a more secular and community-oriented character. At first, the little known holiday was met with a mixture of acceptance and skepticism. The reception of Halloween in North America can be understood through various factors and phases:

Mixed Early Reception:
In the early 19th century, the newly arrived Halloween introduced customs such as carving turnips or potatoes (later replaced with pumpkins), costume-wearing, and the telling of ghost stories. These traditions were met with curiosity and interest by some, while others were less familiar with or receptive to the customs.
Religious and Cultural Attitudes:
The religious and cultural attitudes of the local population played a significant role in the reception of Halloween. Some Protestant groups, particularly in New England, viewed Halloween as a pagan or superstitious holiday and were critical of it. However, in some other regions, particularly where there were larger Irish and Scottish immigrant populations, Halloween traditions found a more receptive audience.
Blending of Traditions:
Over time, Halloween traditions from different cultures began to merge and evolve. The celebration of Halloween in North America incorporated elements from various European customs, including those of the Irish, Scots, English, and Native American traditions.
Commercialization and Community Building:
As the 19th century progressed, Halloween began to evolve into a more community-oriented celebration. It became a time for neighborhoods to come together for parties, games, and festive activities. The commercialization of Halloween, with the sale of costumes and decorations, also began to take hold. This is probably where the birth of Americanized Halloween as we know it today, truly took place.
A Shift Toward Child-Centered Celebration:
By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Halloween had started to transform into a more child-centered holiday. It became associated with activities like trick-or-treating, where children would visit homes and receive treats. This shift made Halloween more accessible and appealing to families.

Trick-or-Treating

The tradition of trick-or-treating likely has it’s roots in the medieval practice of "souling," where poor individuals went door-to-door on All Souls' Day, requesting food in exchange for prayers for the deceased. Trick-or-treating became popular in the U.S. during the mid-20th century.

However, what we know of trick or treating now barely resembles the absolute mayhem that persisted in the United States for quite a while. It’s evolution from complete unadulterated chaos to the more organized and harmless door-to-door candy collection involved several key historical developments and cultural shifts. Here's how this transformation took place:

Early American Halloween Traditions:
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Halloween in the United States was a time for community gatherings, parades, and parties. Trick-or-treating, as we know it today, did not exist in this form.
Mischief and Pranks:
Because Around this time, Halloween was associated with mischievous and sometimes destructive pranks, often referred to as "mischief night." This included activities like tipping over outhouses, throwing eggs, soaping windows, and much more, sometimes resulting in property destruction
Efforts to Curb Mischief:
These devilish pranks during Halloween caused concerns among community members, and there were growing efforts to curtail the destructive behavior. Towns and communities began to encourage alternative, more controlled activities to keep young people occupied and reduce their penchant for vandalism.
The Influence of the Great Depression and World War II:
During the Great Depression and World War II, there was an increased emphasis on community unity and support. Halloween celebrations began to shift towards more organized and family-friendly events, such as costume parades, community parties, and games.
Rise of Trick-or-Treating:
Trick-or-treating as a concept had existed in various forms for centuries, but it started to gain popularity as a safer and more organized activity in the late 1930s and 1940s. The earliest versions of trick-or-treating were not about collecting candy but often involved children visiting local homes and requesting small gifts or treats.
Post-War Baby Boom and Suburbanization:
The post-World War II era saw the baby boom and suburbanization of America. Families moved to newly developed suburbs, where communities were closely knit. Trick-or-treating became an ideal way for children to interact with their neighbors and establish a sense of community.
Candy Industry Promotion:
The candy industry played a significant role in the popularization of trick-or-treating. Candy companies began marketing Halloween-specific candies, making it easier for households to provide treats to visiting children.
Safety Concerns and Regulation:
In the 1970s and 1980s, concerns about safety and tampered candy led to increased scrutiny and regulation of Halloween activities. Parents and community organizations promoted the idea of collecting candy from trusted neighbors rather than accepting homemade treats.
Focus on Fun and Creativity:
In more recent years, the emphasis on trick-or-treating has shifted from the expectation of pranks or “tricks” to a focus on fun and creativity. Children dress up in costumes and visit homes for the simple pleasure of collecting candy, emphasizing the harmless nature of the activity.
Community and Family Tradition:
Today, trick-or-treating is firmly established as a beloved Halloween tradition in the United States. It promotes community engagement and is seen as a family-friendly activity that allows children to enjoy the holiday in a safe and controlled manner.

To sum it up, Trick-or-treating in America underwent a transformation from chaotic and mischievous activities to the organized, family-friendly tradition we know today. This shift was influenced by societal changes, safety concerns, and the promotion of community bonding, making it a cherished part of Halloween celebrations. However, safety concerns over candy were based in Urban Legend, rather than fact.

Urban Legends of Poisoned Candy

The fear of poisoned or tampered candy on Halloween is largely an urban legend because there is very little actual evidence to support such claims. Here are several reasons why this fear is more myth than reality:

Rare Occurrences: Actual cases of Halloween candy being tampered with or poisoned are extremely rare. While there have been a small number of isolated incidents over the years, they are outliers and not representative of the norm.
Media Sensationalism: These rare incidents are often widely reported by the media, which can contribute to the perception that such occurrences are more common than they actually are. Sensationalized stories can heighten fear and concern.
Lack of Motive: Most people have no motive to harm children through Halloween candy. Poisoning candy is a highly unusual and irrational act, as it is not easy to predict who will consume the tampered candy.
Stranger Danger Myth: The idea of a stranger intentionally harming children with poisoned candy is not supported by data. Crimes against children are more likely to be committed by someone known to the family, such as a family member or acquaintance.
Cost and Effort: Lacing candy with poison or other harmful substances would require a significant amount of effort and expense. Criminals with malicious intent would likely choose more effective and less traceable methods to cause harm.
Community Vigilance: Many communities have implemented safe trick-or-treating practices, such as inspecting candy before consumption or attending organized events, to ensure the safety of children. Parents and communities take measures to reduce risks.
Historical Cases are Disputed: Some historical cases that are often cited as evidence of candy tampering have been disputed or debunked upon further investigation.
Lack of Reports: There is a lack of consistent and credible reports about widespread incidents of poisoned or tampered Halloween candy.

It's important to acknowledge that the fear of poisoned Halloween candy is based more on fear and urban legends than on actual factual evidence. While it's wise for parents and guardians to exercise caution and inspect candy — of course! — the risk of encountering tampered candy on Halloween is extremely low. The greater focus should be on safety, visibility, and ensuring that children have a fun and enjoyable Halloween experience.

Halloween Today

In the 20th century Halloween grew in popularity, becoming a well-liked and widely celebrated holiday in North America. It retained its festive and community-oriented nature, and it was increasingly embraced as a time for creativity, fun, and community bonding.

Today, Halloween is a commercial and secular holiday celebrated in various countries, featuring activities such as costume parties, haunted houses, corn mazes, and the exchange of candy.

And while Halloween is often closely associated with the United States, due to its widespread popularity and iconic traditions such as trick-or-treating, and the carving of pumpkins into Jack O'Lanterns, it is celebrated in various forms in many other countries, often with their own unique traditions and practices.

While Halloween is a unique holiday, there are several other holidays celebrated around the world that share some similarities in terms of themes, customs, or their focus on the supernatural and the spirit world.

Halloween has a complex and evolving history, with its roots in ancient Celtic and Roman traditions and its development into a modern, largely secular celebration of costumes, candy, and community. It's a holiday that has seen many cultural influences and has adapted to the changing times while retaining some of its ancient elements. Today, Halloween is celebrated in many countries around the world, and the nature of these celebrations is often influenced by local customs, cultures, and historical backgrounds. While the United States is strongly associated with the modern commercialized version of Halloween, other countries have embraced the holiday and put their own cultural spin on it, creating a rich tapestry of global Halloween traditions.

On the other hand, there are countries and cultures throughout the world that have their own celebrations that have entirely separate origins and traditions and might bare zero resemblance to Halloween at all, except for one very common thread seemingly connecting us all — our fascination with the spirits of our ancestors and beloved dead and the lengths we will go to honor them and connect with them from the other side of the veil.

HALLOWEEN: History, Traditions & Legends