Halloween | Origin and Traditions - Trick-or-Treating - Jack-o'-Lanterns - Halloween Costumes - Modern Celebrations - Controversies and Alternatives of Halloween
Halloween: A Brief Overview Origin and Traditions: Halloween, celebrated on October 31st, has ancient origins, dating back over 2,000 years to the Celtic festival of Samhain. It marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, a time associated with death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year (November 1st), the boundary between the living and the dead blurred, allowing spirits to roam the earth. To ward off these roaming spirits, people lit bonfires and wore costumes. Trick-or-Treating: The tradition of children dressing in costumes and going door-to-door for treats, known as trick-or-treating, became popular in the United States in the early 20th century. Children often say the phrase "trick or treat" to receive candy, symbolizing a playful threat if no treat is given. Jack-o'-Lanterns: Carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns is a widespread Halloween tradition. According to folklore, a man named Jack was condemned to...