Halloween, as celebrated today, has its origins in a blend of Celtic, Roman, and Christian traditions.
In ancient Celtic culture, people observed the festival of Samhain to mark the end of the harvest season and the onset of winter. It was believed that during Samhain, the boundary between the living and the dead blurred, allowing spirits to roam the earth. To ward off malevolent spirits, individuals would don masks and costumes.
When the Roman Empire conquered Celtic lands, their festival of Feralia, which paid tribute to the deceased, merged with Samhain. This combination influenced many of the customs we now associate with Halloween.
Subsequently, the Christian church established All Saints’ Day on November 1st and All Souls’ Day on November 2nd to honor saints and the departed. To make these Christian holidays more appealing, they incorporated elements from Samhain, such as costumes and parades.
The result is modern Halloween, a festive amalgamation of ancient traditions and Christian practices, where people don disguises, carve pumpkins, and celebrate with both eerie and lighthearted elements.