Halloween is one of the largest holidays worldwide. It is celebrated in some form in most countries and has developed huge followings in places outside of the Western World such as China and Japan. However, somewhat surprisingly, this spooky holiday that is one of the most unique in the world, has very humble origins. 

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Halloween has many possible origins, but the most likely is that it developed from various traditions and old holidays that were celebrated by the people of Ireland centuries ago. These people were called the Celts and they typically celebrated a festival known as Samhain (SAH-WEHN) which meant “summer’s end.” This was an event that occurred in autumn and celebrated the plentiful bounties of a good harvest. The festival was also believed by the Celts to be a time when dead spirits could easily cross over into the mortal realm. Fearing harmful spirits, the Celts dressed up in various costumes, animal hides, and cloths to blend in with the spirits so that they would not be attacked or cursed by them. They also carved scary faces into turnips and other vegetables and lit the insides with a candle so that the lit-up faces would scare away potentially dangerous spirits. In addition to these practices, Samhain was also a time for beggars to go around neighborhoods asking for food as it was intended to be a time of kindness and compassion.

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After the Irish potato famine in the 19th century, Irish immigrants flooded to the United States and brought their traditions with them. This included the traditions of Samhain which was mixed with another newly introduced Christian holiday known as “All Hallow’s Eve” which eventually became Halloween. Over time, dressing up as spirits became Halloween costumes, carved up turnips and gourds became Jack-O-Lanterns, and begging for food became trick-or-treating. 

Thus, after much time and American influence, the traditions of Samhain AKA All   Hallow’s Eve, became Halloween, the sensation of a holiday that is now celebrated worldwide.

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