Origins of Modern Halloween - What Are the Historical Roots of Our Halloween Celebrations?

Halloween has been celebrated in one form oryears of their rule the Roman festivals of Feralia,
another for over 2000 years, but how has itwhen Romans celebrated the passing of the dead,
evolved over time to become the holiday weand Pomona a celebration for the goddess of the
know today. What are the Origins Of Modernsame name, grew to replace Samhain. The
Halloween? It is certainly true that the festival ofgoddess Pomona is the roman goddess of fruit
2000 years ago bears little resemblance to theand trees often associated with apples, the
one we know today, but even in it's oldest formincorporation of this into Samhain is thought to be
it still contains elements we will recognize.why the tradition of bobbing for apples has
Ancient Timesbecome associated with the Halloween celebration.
The original source of what has evolved into ourChristian Influences
modern Halloween holiday can be traced backBy the 7th century Christianity had spread to the
over 2000 years to the Celts that lived in andCeltic lands and it was during this time that Pope
around Ireland and England. They celebrated theirBoniface IV founded all saints day, to be held on
new year on November 1st as they regarded thisthe 1st day of November. It was a day that
to be the end of summer and the beginning ofcelebrated all the saints that didn't already have a
the cold dark winter period, a time that to theday associated with them. The choice of day was
Celtic people was strongly associated with death.no accident and is widely believed to be an
They believed that the night before the new yearattempt by the church to replace the pagan
the boundaries between the living and the deadholiday with a christian one, much as they did with
realm was at its weakest, and the spirits of theEaster (pagan festival of Ostara/Eostre), and
dead could roam the land of the living. On thisChristmas (pagan festival of Yule). In the language
night they held the pagan celebration Samhainof the time all saints day was called
pronounced sow-in, it literally means summers end.Alholowmesse, this evolved over time into all -
During this celebration they would gather togetherhallowmas and then finally all hallows. The evening
in fields and build large fires called bon fires thatbefore this celebration was called all hallows eve
were supposed to ward away the spirits of thewhich became Halloween.
dead. They would also dress up in animal skins andConclusion
wear animal masks and tell each others fortunes.Each period in history has added their own
At the end of the night each would take emberscontribution to the evolution of our modern
from the fire to light their homes fire grate, theycelebration, all leading to the fun lighthearted day
believed that a fire lit from the Samhain bon firethat we enjoy today. I hope this short history of
would keep them safe from death throughout thethe Evolution of our Halloween holiday will help you
winter period.to understand the traditions and Origins Of
Roman OccupationModern Halloween, and will add to your enjoyment
When the Romans came to Britain in 40AD theyof this unique celebration.
occupied the Celtic lands, and over the next 400