Does anyone know the actual reason, myth, legend behind halloween?

Answer 1

Its celtic...

According to what can be reconstructed of the beliefs of the ancient Celts, the bright half of the year ended around November 1 or on a Moon-phase near that date, a day referred to in modern Gaelic as Samhain ("Sow-in" or alternatively "Sa-ven", meaning: End of the Summer). After the adoption of the Roman calendar with its fixed months, the date began to be celebrated independently of the Moon's phases.

As October 31st is the last day of the bright half of the year, the next day also meant the beginning of Winter, which the Celts often associated with human death. The Celts also believed that on October 31, the boundary separating the dead from the living became blurred. (There is a rich and unusual myth system at work here; the spirit world, the residence of the "Sidhe," as well as of the dead, was accessible through burial mounds. These mounds opened at two times during the year, making the beginning and end of Summer highly spiritually resonant.)

The Celts' survival during the cold harsh winters, depended on the prophecies of their priests or Druids. They believed that the presence of spirits would aid in the priests' abilities to make future predictions.

The exact customs observed in each Celtic region differ, but they generally involved the lighting of bonfires and the reinforcement of boundaries, across which malicious spirits might cross and threaten the community.

Like most observances around this season, warmth and comfort were emphasized, indulgence was not. Stores of preserved food were needed to last through the winter, not for parties.

Answer 2

It is an Irish celtic tradition called "Samhain" part of the traditions of paganism and practiced by the Woed tribes of England and Scotland. It is now called 'Halloween' due to the typical American hallmark approach to things. It was called 'All hallows even' and was celebrated on the 31st October' the night before 'All hallows day' also known of as "All saints day" in Ireland

In Mexico November 1st and 2nd are celebrated as the "Dia de Los Muertos" (Day of the Dead). Halloween is also called Pooky Night in some parts of Ireland, presumably named after the 'púca', a mischievous spirit.

Like everything else, the Christians stole this Pagan tradition, and spun their own twist. It is not celebrated all over the world and is in fact celebrated in few countries.

A few little interesting facts:

We play duck apple because if you cut an apple around the middle it has a pentagram at it's core (the pagon symbol of protection)
The pumpkins were used to scare off evil spirits that is why they carved faces in them and it was also to light the way to the festival or cemetry as a candle could be placed inside it, even in the rain.

Answer 3

It's the old Celtic new year in the old calendar (Coligny, Stonehenge, etc.). It's the beginning of the winter half of the year. It's a time when the veil between worlds thins and the dead, and other worldly creatures are more likely to be seen. Good and evil beings, strangers and relatives, all came out. So it was important to honor the good dead, and trick the evil dead into not hurting you. So they (and now we) dress up as the evil, or something you're afraid of, etc. This way, you not only face your fears at least once a year, you trick the evil other worldly beings into thinking you're one of them so they won't hurt you as you go about your business. Many had a feast, inviting the good dead to join them. Then a parade. They used gourds, turnips, etc. We use pumpkins...to make lights. It is very much like the Hispanic Day of the Dead, where there is a parade to the grave yard or something like that. It's something of a memorial parade. This is when the dead are lead back to the graves as the veil closes.
The trick or treating at Halloween is the opposite of door bell ditch on May Day. On Halloween you go door to door asking for goodies. On May you go door to door delivering baskets. At least these are the old European traditions for those who still follow them. (May begins the summer half of the year)

Answer 4

It comes from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The Celtic calendar had 13 months and November was the beginning of the New Year. Therefore all things unwanted and unrenewed had to be banished on the last day of October.
Later, the Christian Church had to play around the ancient customs in order to convert the pagans. As they did for Christmas and Easter, so they did with October 31st and turned it into the evening before All Soul's Day ... blending in local tradition with superstition and religious propaganda.
Hence, the spooks come out on All Hallow's Eve, but the Christian souls who harm no-one and are safely in Heaven banish them away on their own feast day, November 1st.

Answer 5

It started along time ago, when christians would dress up like devils, goblins, and witches to disorient the "so called" devils, goblins,etc... So the christians wouldnt get taken by the evil spirits
I think it was started during or before the Salem witch trial. I am not for sure though.

Answer 6

Halloween is supposed to be the night when spirits roam the earth people would dress up in costumes to fool the spirits so they would not be bothered

Answer 7

It was taken from the pagan holiday of Samhain. Many Wiccans and other pagans still celebrate the holiday. For more info visit the sites I have listed

http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Cafe/1614/Celtwicc/Wicca/Wicca04.htm#Samhain

http://www.witchway.net/days/days.html

http://www.paganlibrary.com/introductory/wiccan_sabbats.php

Hope this helps!

-Wiccan Teen )O(

Answer 8

get free candy ?
jk.....it is an ancient pagan tradition originated in Ireland as the pagan Celtic harvest festival.
Samhain is the original name that later on came to be Halloween
("all hallows eve").

Answer 9

Hallow's Evening comes from the day Christians celebrate the souls of those who have passed on. hence all the ghosts. children used to collect fruit and small change on this night, but my mu never let me because she said it's begging!!!! I just wanted sweets! Supposedly people rise from the dead on this night, check out Hocus Pocus for more silly ideas!

Answer 10

oo i saw this on blue peter ages an ages ago
somethign about celtics honnering the people who died in the past year

and the pumpkins were used to light the cerimonies