The History of Halloween: Another Lesson for 2020

Halloween might have come and gone again, but as we enter into November, a look back on its history tells a tale of community that we could all use right now. While it might be one of my least favorite holidays, even I can appreciate the greater symbolism at play in its origins.

Halloween celebrations with pumpkins, parties, costumes and candy have beginnings that have crossed through time. Thousands of years ago, the ancient Celts in Ireland celebrated the festival of Samhain which, according to History.com, symbolized the coming of the harvest and preparations for the “dark half of the year.” The Celts believed that during the festival the barrier between the physical and spiritual world could be crossed. As such, they made offerings, dressed as ghosts and lit bonfires in order to protect the passing souls. Some early examples of Halloween traditions that we celebrate today, including the emphasis on characters like monsters, ghosts and bats, began to arise. More than that, Samhain was a time to come together and welcome the beginnings of winter. Falling between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice, it represented the end of the Celtic year and the transition of the seasons: a time for them to let go of the past and prepare to start anew in the spring. As we enter the final months of 2020, it’s not such a bad idea for us to also let go of some of the anxieties from this strange year and look towards new beginnings. 

Much like Samhain, the origins of All Saints Day in the seventh and eighth centuries reflect another way in which community is prevalent in the traditions of Halloween. Similar to Samhain, All Saints Day in the Chrisitian faith stems from the belief that there is a connection between those in Heaven and on earth. At the height of the Roman empire, Christians were persecuted in high numbers. With many becoming martyrs, the Catholic church of the time recognized the need to honor their dead. Because there were so many who had died, it wasn’t feasible to bless them each with their own day, and hence All Saints and All Souls Day arose. The night before All Saints Day was typically referred to as “Hallows Eve” and was spent in vigil to honor the lives of those who became saints. All Souls Day honored all those that had departed from earth. Apart from the name of Halloween, historical celebrations on All Souls Day represented the early tradition of trick or treating. The poor would visit the rich and receive a pastry with a promise to pray for their deceased loved ones. At the center of All Saints and All Souls Day was a time to reflect, honor and move forward. As we move through our own tumultuous times, it’s an important reminder of how far we have come, how many we have lost, and how far we still (probably) have to go. Just as early Christian traditions valued the collective prayers of their neighbors, so we too should value the hope we can bridge when we collectively come together.

Of course, like much of the American experience, classic traditions took on a whole new meaning when they spread to the United States. In colonial times, Halloween was not widely celebrated due to its association with the restrictive protestantism that European settlers were trying to avoid. Regardless, it was not until the U.S. had begun to become more diverse and customs began to blend that autumnal festivals emerged. Beginning in the south, these festivals celebrated the harvest, shared stories, told fortunes, danced and sang. By the end of the 19th century, Irish immigrants were persuasive in promoting the popularization of Halloween. Unfortunately, in the 1920s, “tricks” became more rowdy, worsening throughout the Great Depression. It took collaboration of town leaders to get it under control. They emphasized trick-or-treating as a community builder during the 1930s, and it extended towards young children following the baby boom after World War II. What we see today is the second largest commercial holiday after Christmas, and although there are many aspects that have been divisive in the past, it still remains a community oriented celebration at its heart. 

Although we can’t trick or treat in typical fashion, there is nothing stopping us from safely taking pride in our communities in a respectful, culturally-appropriate way. If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that we really are all in this together, and it is clear that the origins of Halloween acknowledge the importance of taking time to remember that.   

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