2006-10-22 11:46:52 · 4 answers · asked by fresh2 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Halloween
You're going to get some long answers. Basically, there was a Celtic new year festival called Samhain in ancient times. During Samhain it was believed that spirits came back and roamed the earth. It was a huge feast and time of celebration.
Some time after Christianity came to Britain, the holiday called All Saints Day or All Hallows Day was moved to November 1. So October 31 became All Hallows Eve (Hallow E'en). The pagan festivities continued, but in the name of Christianity.
Over the centuries, Hallow E'en became Halloween and the customs changed over the years. When Irish and British people came to the United States, they brought the celebration with them. Add some new world elements (i.e. pumpkins) and it eventually evolved into the holiday we celebrate today.
2006-10-22 11:58:14 · answer #1 · answered by dark_phoenix 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Celtic year ends on the day Oct. 31 and the new year begins on the day of Nov. 1. The NIGHT of Oct 31 belongs to neither year , so that night its possible for beings from the spirit world to wander around our world, freely. In the old days, people carved gourds with scary faces to frighten off the spirits.
2006-10-22 11:50:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the 2nd answer listed is the most correct. Absolutely correct
2006-10-22 12:44:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a pagan custom, so any pagan custom starts from the Devil.
2006-10-22 11:49:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋