The True Meaning of Halloween

The True Meaning of Halloween

Halloween is a holiday which has been around for a lot longer than many may think. Even the traditions which seem so modern and economically rooted are almost as old as the tradition of Halloween itself. There is a lot of confusion as to when the tradition of Halloween began. Many think that Halloween began with the Celts. The Celts celebrated Samhain which was a holiday that symbolized the end of the time of the light and the beginning of the time of the dark. During the time of the dark it was said that the wall between the spirit world and that of the living was weakened and spirits were able to obtain access to the living more easily. Hence this could be one of the reasons children today think of Halloween as a scary holiday, they unknowingly are going along with ancient traditions.

Along with the tradition of Samhain other traditions fused into that one to form the Holiday we know today. According to one website their research shows that, “After the Romans conquered the Celtic world, they merged Samhain with their own festivals, a harvest fest called Poloma, and a celebration for the dead called Feralia.”(A Traditional Halloween)

Though the celebration itself has been explained, the acts in which children celebrate it have not. “Some believe that Druids, who threatened dire consequences to residence who didn’t respond generously to their demands for free goods or money.”(A Traditional Halloween) Yet another clue where the tradition of trick or treating may come from is that author Joan Lee Faust has pointed out that “The Roman harvest festival honoring Pomona, the goddess of fruits, was held about the same time of year. Historians suggest this festival also infl...

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...ty rules and try to be as careful as possible Halloween can stay an enjoyable holiday for all.

So centuries later after the Celts and Romans and early Christians the tradition of Halloween still lives on. Though one is unsure who to specifically thank for this exciting day, everyone at one point in their life or another has celebrated this holiday and really has enjoyed the day with family and friends.

Sources Cited

Faust, Joan Lee “Around the Garden” New York Times 31 Oct. 1965

Mealia, Bernie personal interview 8 Dec. 2003

Sanders, Dan “Halloween Traditions Change from Childhood to Adulthood” The Keystone

8 Dec. 2003 http://www.keystoneonline.com/story.asp?Art_id=779

“A Traditional Halloween” www.a-traditional-halloween.com 8 Dec. 2003

Wilson, Jerry “History and Customs of Halloween” http://wilstar.net/holidays/halloween.htm 8 Dec. 2003