Ghostly history of holiday originates in Celtic Ireland
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

Halloween, as celebrated today, is actually a combination of traditions from different cultures, developed over generations. It was not widely observed in the United States until the 1900s.

The holiday is believed to have originated in Ireland 2,000 years ago as part of an ancient Celtic festival that celebrated the New Year on Nov. 1. The holiday marked the end of summer and the harvest season and the beginning of the cold, dark winter months. Winter was associated with death so the Celts believed that the ghosts of the dead would come back to life on Oct. 31, the eve of the New Year, and make mischief.

To ward off the evil spirits Celtic priests, called Druids, lit big bonfires. The people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the gods they worshipped.

They wore costumes made of animal heads and skins to try to trick wicked ghosts and relit their own fires from the sacred bonfire for protection. Food offerings were placed outside homes to placate wandering ghosts.

New customs were added after the Romans conquered and ruled Celtic territory. One involved a Roman observance called Feralia of the passing of the dead; the other a holiday to honor Pomona, the goddess of fruit and trees whose symbol is the apple from where it is thought that the game of bobbing for apples may have originated.

Christianity found its way into Celtic lands during the seventh century bringing with it new traditions. It is believed that the pope, wanting to replace the Celtic holiday of the dead with a church-approved celebration, designated Nov. 1 as AllHallowmas, meaning All Saint's Day, to honor saints and martyrs. The night before was called All Hallows Eve and was celebrated like the original Celtic holiday with bonfires, parades and costumes depicting saints, angels and devils.

Early immigrants to the United States and Canada brought these Halloween traditions with them. Celebrations involved dancing, singing, sharing the harvest, and telling fortunes and stories of the dead.

Nineteenth century Irish and English immigrants helped popularize the wearing of costumes and visiting neighbors to ask for food and money, evolving the holiday into a nonreligious, nonsuperstitious observance to make it less frightening for children. By the turn of the century it was observed through neighborhood parties for adults and children. During the 1930s, stores began selling mass-produced costumes. But when vandalism began to plague communities, city leaders began a movement to emphasize Halloween and young people.

During the 1950s baby boom, trick-or-treating became popular.

For the business community, Halloween is the sixth most profitable American holiday behind Christmas, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Easter and Father's Day.

Halloween is observed in other countries besides the United States. In Ireland, people dress in costumes, light bonfires, eat fruitcake and enjoy fireworks. School is closed for a week. Children are known to play tricks on neighbors, including knocking on front doors and running away before the doors are opened. In Scotland, costumed children go door-to-door entertaining and are rewarded with candy, fruit and money. The children carry turnips carved with a devil face to ward off evil spirits. Mexicans mark Halloween as the beginning of three days of holidays, including All Saint's Day and Day of the Dead.

Halloween also is celebrated in England, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong.