The Origin of Halloween

Halloween, also known as All Hallows' Eve, is a holiday celebrated annually on October 31. It has its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter.

During Samhain, the Celts believed that the boundary between the living and the dead became blurred. They would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off evil spirits. They also believed that the spirits of their ancestors returned to visit them, and they would set out food and drink to welcome them.

When the Roman Empire conquered the Celts' lands, they incorporated Samhain into their own festivals. One of these was Feralia, which was celebrated in late October to honor the dead. Another was a festival dedicated to Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. Her symbol was the apple, which is why bobbing for apples is a traditional Halloween game.

In the Middle Ages, the Christian church established All Saints' Day on November 1 to honor saints and martyrs. The day before became known as All Hallows' Eve, and eventually Halloween.

Today, Halloween is celebrated in many countries around the world. It has become a commercial holiday with costumes, decorations, and candy, but it still retains its ancient roots in the celebration of the supernatural and the honoring of the dead.