Older than you think

Halloween, also known as All Hallows' Eve, has its roots in the ancient Celtic festival called Samhain (pronounced "sow-in").

Read more about Samhaian on Wikipedia at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain and learn about all the history.

^{Source of this picture @detlev}

A Quick Throwback

The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in what's now Ireland, the UK, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1st. This day marked the end of summer and the beginning of the dark, cold winter—a time often associated with death.

The Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On October 31st, they believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to Earth. To ward off these spirits, the Celts would light bonfires and wear costumes.

^{Source of this picture wikipedia.org}

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and enjoy #Halloween

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Fast Forward: The Christian Influence

Alright, let's dive deeper and add some layers to that:

So, the early Christian crew, always on the lookout to spread their message, saw the wild popularity of the pagan Samhain festival and thought,

"Why not give it a Christian twist?"

They introduced All Saints' Day on November 1st, a day dedicated to giving mad respect to all the saints and martyrs who did their thing for the faith. But what about the night before, when all the spooky action happened? They branded it All Hallows' Eve. If you're thinking that sounds a lot like Halloween, you're spot on. That's where our modern-day Halloween gets its name.

Now, the Church wasn't just trying to crash the pagan party. They had a strategy. By introducing their own version of the celebration, they aimed to shift the focus from ghostly encounters and supernatural shenanigans to a more holy and sacred vibe. But here's the thing: people loved their traditions. So, instead of one replacing the other, the two celebrations started to blend. Imagine taking a classic rock song and a modern pop hit and creating the ultimate remix. That's what happened with Halloween.

^{Source of this picturecatholicheritage.blogspot.com}

As the centuries rolled on, Halloween retained its eerie allure with witches, ghosts, and goblins, but it also embraced Christian elements, like honoring saints and praying for souls. So, while you're carving pumpkins and planning costumes, remember that Halloween is like a cultural cocktail, mixing ancient pagan rituals with Christian traditions. Cheers to that spooky blend! 🙏🎃👼🍹👻

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Costume Party: Ancient Style - Mumming & Guising

Ever heard of the Mari Lwyd? It's like the OG Láir Bhán from Wales. So, back in the day, especially during Samhain, people in some places were all about this trend called mumming and guising. Picture this: it's the 16th century in Scotland, and this trend is just catching on. It later became a hit in parts of Ireland, Mann, and Wales too.

The drill was simple: you dress up, hit the streets, and go from door to door. But instead of yelling "trick or treat," you'd drop some verses or songs. And guess what? You'd get food in return. Sweet deal, right?

Now, here's the twist: some peeps believe this whole get-up might have started from an even older tradition. People would dress up pretending to be the aos sí or even the souls of those who've passed on, collecting offerings meant for these spirits. And if you're thinking, "Why would anyone want to do that?" Well, dressing up like these spirits was like a protective shield; it kept the real spirits from messing with you.

S. V. Peddle had a theory that these guisers were like the winter's old spirits' reps, who were basically saying, "Give us some rewards, and we'll make sure you have some good luck." McNeill, on the other hand, thinks that the ancient festival was like a massive costume party with people dressing up as these spirits, and that's how the modern tradition was born. And in Ireland? Some folks would wear these costumes during the day, collecting goodies for the big Samhain bash at night. 🎭🎶🍲

^{Winster Hobby horses and mummers in Derbyshire England circa mid-late 1800s - Source wikimedia.org}

The tradition

Clearly the tradition of dressing up in costume can be related back to the Celts' Samhain traditions of blending in with their crossed-over loved ones...or perhaps to even scare off the mischievous ones.

The custom of mummers dressing as cattle most likely dates back to a time when the Scots believed this would aid in luck for healthy livestock in the coming year. Other people believe the act of dressing in costume would automatically put the wearer into the otherworld - giving him/her the ability to cross the veil between the spiritual and mundane.

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The American Twist 🇺🇸

When European immigrants came to America, they brought their varied Halloween customs with them. Over time, the traditions meshed and evolved into the fun-filled holiday we know today. Trick-or-treating, for example, is believed to have its roots in the European practice of "selling," where the poor would go door to door, offering prayers for the dead in exchange for food.

^{Source of this picture @detlev in Mondo Verde Halloween show}

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Pumpkins, Cats & Candy

The Symbols: What's Up with That?

1. Jack-o'-Lanterns 🎃: The story goes that a man named Jack tricked the devil and was denied entry to both heaven and hell. He was doomed to wander the earth with only a carved-out turnip and a burning coal to light his way. The Irish used turnips as their "Jack's lanterns" originally. But when they came to America, they found that pumpkins were way easier to carve. Hence, the birth of the pumpkin Jack-o'-Lantern!

2. Ghosts 👻: Remember the Celts believed the boundary between the living and the dead blurred on Halloween? That's where the ghostly vibes come from.

3. Witches 🧙‍♀️: Witches have been associated with the supernatural and death for centuries. The classic image of a witch on a broomstick comes from old beliefs that witches could fly.

4. Black Cats 🐱: In the Middle Ages, people believed witches could transform into black cats to hide. So, these felines became synonymous with bad luck and witchcraft.

5. Bats 🦇: Bats are nocturnal creatures, and they were likely attracted to the bonfires the Celts lit during Samhain. Their mysterious nature and night-time activities linked them to the Halloween theme.

6. Candy 🍬: Because who doesn't love a sweet treat? The modern tradition of trick-or-treating and getting candy has its roots in various European customs, like the aforementioned "souling."

So, there you have it! Halloween is a mix of ancient beliefs, Christian traditions, and modern fun. Whether you're in it for the candy, the costumes, or the creepy vibes, it's a holiday with deep roots and lots of layers. Now, go rock that costume and grab some candy! 🍫🍭👹🧡

^{Source of this by @detlev}

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Some more modern Halloween pictures

^{Source of this picture @detlev}

^{Source of this picture @detlev}

^{Source of this picture @detlev}

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The Horror Show

<sup>Source of this picture @detlev

Source of this picture @detlev



Source of this picture @detlev</sup>

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Have a great party

and celebrate life with your friends and family. Enjoy a different evening in or without a costume

^{Source of this picture @detlev}

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Have a great day everybody
and let us travel the world again

^{pic by @detlev}

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