The Origins of Halloween
It is believed that Halloween originated from the Celtic festival of Samhain, pronounced ‘sow-in’. It marked the end of the harvest season and Samhain means‘summer’s end’.
The Origins of Halloween
The word Halloween comes from ‘All Hallows' Eve’. Originally, the word ‘hallow’ referred to a holy person. All Hallows' Eve was to mark the night before All Saint’s Day on 1st November. It was a time to remember the dead, including the saints and all the faithful souls that had departed this world.
Discuss Do you think there should be a special day to remember the dead?
Customs and Rituals
Some people began customs to commemorate their dead relatives, loved ones and saints. It was believed that on All Hallows’ Eve, the spirits of the dead could pass into this world. People would lay places at their table to welcome and remember these spirits.
Discuss What do you think about this custom? Do you think customs could be a problem?
Customs and Rituals
Apple Bobbing This game involved getting an apple out of a bowl of water using only your teeth. There would be initials carved into the apple and legend said that you would marry the person with those initials.
Other customs and rituals also began to be carried out. Special bonfires were lit. Their flames, smoke and ashes were thought to have protective and cleansing powers. Certain games were played, which were intended to predict your future, especially in death and marriage.
Discuss Why do you think people carried out these rituals? Do you think they helped people?
Some people believed in standing in front of a mirror and asking the devil to reveal their future husband or wife.
Trick-or-Treat
Trick-or-treat began as ‘mumming’. Children would go from house to house and pray for souls of the dead or sing rhymes. In return, they would be given ‘soul cake’.
Tricks used to mean a simple form of mischief. These days, the trick is more like a prank, and can get very out of hand and destructive. People have had their property damaged and sometimes, their pets harmed.
Discuss Think of the types of people who might not like being visited by trick or treating. Why? Do you think some people might be afraid on Halloween night? Do you think it is completely harmless?
Christian Influence
All Saints' Day used to be in May but in AD 835, Pope Gregory III moved the date to 1st November. Bells were rung to remember the ‘poor dead souls’ and cakes were baked to share with the living.
Barns and homes were blessed to protect people and livestock from the effect of witches, who were believed to travel with the unhappy spirits as they wandered the earth.
Dressing Up
So, why do people dress up at Halloween? It was traditionally believed that the souls of the departed wandered the earth until All Saints' Day. All Hallows' Eve was one last chance for the dead to get revenge on their enemies before moving to the next world. So that the living weren’t recognised by any soul that might be seeking revenge, people would wear masks or costumes to disguise their identities.
Discuss How must people have felt to go to the trouble of dressing up to avoid their dead enemies? Do you think people would believe this nowadays? If not, why not?
Halloween Symbols
There are particular symbols associated with Halloween:
carved pumpkins or jack-o’-lanterns These were used to frighten off bad spirits.
ghosts The pranksters of Halloween causing mischief and not being seen.
skulls To remember the fragility of life.
witches A woman thought to have magical powers, traditionally seen as evil by the Catholic church.
scarecrows and corn To represent the end of harvest and death.
What Do You Think?
Halloween can mean many things for many people. What does it mean to you?
What does it mean to other people in your family?
Do you think it is an appropriate topic for children to learn about?
Do you think Halloween has changed since it began? How?
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Transcript
The Origins of Halloween
It is believed that Halloween originated from the Celtic festival of Samhain, pronounced ‘sow-in’. It marked the end of the harvest season and Samhain means‘summer’s end’.
The Origins of Halloween
The word Halloween comes from ‘All Hallows' Eve’. Originally, the word ‘hallow’ referred to a holy person. All Hallows' Eve was to mark the night before All Saint’s Day on 1st November. It was a time to remember the dead, including the saints and all the faithful souls that had departed this world.
Discuss Do you think there should be a special day to remember the dead?
Customs and Rituals
Some people began customs to commemorate their dead relatives, loved ones and saints. It was believed that on All Hallows’ Eve, the spirits of the dead could pass into this world. People would lay places at their table to welcome and remember these spirits.
Discuss What do you think about this custom? Do you think customs could be a problem?
Customs and Rituals
Apple Bobbing This game involved getting an apple out of a bowl of water using only your teeth. There would be initials carved into the apple and legend said that you would marry the person with those initials.
Other customs and rituals also began to be carried out. Special bonfires were lit. Their flames, smoke and ashes were thought to have protective and cleansing powers. Certain games were played, which were intended to predict your future, especially in death and marriage.
Discuss Why do you think people carried out these rituals? Do you think they helped people?
Some people believed in standing in front of a mirror and asking the devil to reveal their future husband or wife.
Trick-or-Treat
Trick-or-treat began as ‘mumming’. Children would go from house to house and pray for souls of the dead or sing rhymes. In return, they would be given ‘soul cake’.
Tricks used to mean a simple form of mischief. These days, the trick is more like a prank, and can get very out of hand and destructive. People have had their property damaged and sometimes, their pets harmed.
Discuss Think of the types of people who might not like being visited by trick or treating. Why? Do you think some people might be afraid on Halloween night? Do you think it is completely harmless?
Christian Influence
All Saints' Day used to be in May but in AD 835, Pope Gregory III moved the date to 1st November. Bells were rung to remember the ‘poor dead souls’ and cakes were baked to share with the living.
Barns and homes were blessed to protect people and livestock from the effect of witches, who were believed to travel with the unhappy spirits as they wandered the earth.
Dressing Up
So, why do people dress up at Halloween? It was traditionally believed that the souls of the departed wandered the earth until All Saints' Day. All Hallows' Eve was one last chance for the dead to get revenge on their enemies before moving to the next world. So that the living weren’t recognised by any soul that might be seeking revenge, people would wear masks or costumes to disguise their identities.
Discuss How must people have felt to go to the trouble of dressing up to avoid their dead enemies? Do you think people would believe this nowadays? If not, why not?
Halloween Symbols
There are particular symbols associated with Halloween:
carved pumpkins or jack-o’-lanterns These were used to frighten off bad spirits.
ghosts The pranksters of Halloween causing mischief and not being seen.
skulls To remember the fragility of life.
witches A woman thought to have magical powers, traditionally seen as evil by the Catholic church.
scarecrows and corn To represent the end of harvest and death.
What Do You Think?
Halloween can mean many things for many people. What does it mean to you?
What does it mean to other people in your family?
Do you think it is an appropriate topic for children to learn about?
Do you think Halloween has changed since it began? How?