The History of Halloween and All Saints Day

The History of Halloween and All Saints Day

When you think of Halloween, a few things spring to mind. Picking the most haunting and outlandish costume for a party, or laying out sweets for local children. But this day to celebrate and enjoy, or in some parts of the world to mourn, is so much more than that. Also known as All Saints Day, it marks a day of importance in many people’s calendars. However, equally seen as a day of fun and extravagance. So how did Halloween come to pass as an event? Does it date back centuries or even millennia? Does it still carry importance religiously in modern society?

What are the Origins of Halloween?

For many Halloween dates back as far as Celtic times. To celebrate the end of harvest and recognise the beginning of All Saints day. This represents the festival of Samhain, as many parts of the world begin the Winter solstice leading to darker, longer and colder days ahead. A deeply religious and spiritual event. Marking Samhain involved sacrificing animals, creating communal bonfires to represent the sun and honour local Kings or Queens. Failure to do so was a mockery of the Gods and in many faiths would spell illness, disease and even death if not followed.

While Halloween is symbolic from a communal worshipping point of view, All Saints Day or All Souls Day as it is also known carries a different meaning. On the 1st and 2nd of November, depending on where you’re in the world, this predominantly Catholic event symbolises honouring and remembering the dead closest to us. In Mexico for example or Lithuania, this is a big event where people attend the graves of family members or friends to honour their memory. They leave lights throughout the day and night to help their ancestors find their way back to the living.

It was the passing of Celtic times to Roman domination. Leading to the first events such as Feralia to honour the dead, which switched the culture and way of thinking for a few centuries up to more recent times.

The Modern Day Halloween for Children – Candy Anyone?

In the United States alone, more than a quarter of candy sold annually is specifically for Halloween. This signifies billions of dollars spent for this much-celebrated holiday. As the centuries passed, like most religious holidays such as Christmas, it veered away from religious connotations and is a more commercial event focused on families, communities, spirit and enjoyment. Over the past few centuries we have seen the changing of times and focus on family togetherness. Popular culture from music and films pushed on the new traditions of fun parties and gatherings instead of morbid mourning.

Needless to say, All Saints Day, or Day of the Dead in Spanish culture, still presents much more than Halloween for millions. It depends on where you live in the world and what your beliefs are. In the UK, churches across the island still honour All Souls Day in churches. It was traditionally centuries ago a time for poor people to pray for the dead in exchange for food and drink to survive. These days Halloween is more observed in society. Kids trick or treating door to door, decorations in windows, pumpkins carved to ward off spirits and lots of other fun festivities, including in the office, often involving costumes of all kinds!

Let us know at Global QA how you or your family get involved in either celebration by reaching out on our social channels. Happy Halloween and All Saints Day from all of the team.