As we all know, on the last day of October every year, the world celebrates Halloween. We only know that people make pumpkin lanterns and children go trick or treating, visiting homes from the movies, right?. Our knowledge on the topic stops right there. So, shall we delve deeper into the subject and understand why this is celebrated every year in style?
All Hallows’ Eve, commonly known as Halloween, or All Saints’ Eve, is a holiday celebrated on the last day of October. Every year on October 31st, it is recognised or known as All Saints’ Eve. But it is more commonly referred to as Halloween Day. The main connection between Halloween and Christianity is that it marks the beginning of Allhallowtide. This begins principally one day before the Western Christian feast of all saints.
Allhallowtide is believed to extend for three straight days, with All Souls’ Day—which is typically observed on the fourth day—marking its conclusion. In most of North America and in some regions of Europe, Halloween Day is observed without any religious overtones or beliefs, despite the fact that its beginning and end are somewhat related to the Christian calendar. Every year on October 31st, Halloween Day is observed.
When is Halloween this year?
In 2022, Halloween Day will be observed on October 31 (Monday).
In essence, it was the mark of fresh beginnings because it signalled the onset of winter, the return of the cattle and herds from pasture, and the renewal of land tenancy agreements. Additionally, it was thought that during this festival, the souls of the deceased would pass through the world of the living.
All of the living individuals who had passed away over the years were known to travel to the realm of the ghosts, also known as the other world, and the deceased used to visit their homes and relatives. During this event, the ancient people burned bonfires to warm their hearth fires for the coming winter season and, mostly, to frighten away evil and nasty spirits and souls. In an effort to avoid being noticed by those bad spirits, they also donned masks and ghoulish clothing. In addition to bonfires, other celebrations also used to take place.
The day was marked by the preparation of meals and the completion of gatherings, and by the appearance of witches, goblins, devils, Satan, fairies, and other supernatural beings. Marriages, medical emergencies, and fatalities were given priority attention because it was thought that this day also had some meanings and linkages with divination.
The same feast in Roman culture had different connotations but a related foundation. After conquering the Celts in the first century CE, the Romans began to regard and treat Samhain as their own celebration known as Feralia. This was understood to involve the honouring and remembrance of the deceased, their spirits, and their souls. Not only that, but they also revered the goddess of harvest and made references to their festival throughout the harvest season, just like the Celts did (which was known as Pomona).
As a result, Samhain, an ancient event, has some influence on the modern holiday known as Halloween Day (which was celebrated before the rise of Christianity). Samhain, however, was observed on November 1st in some parts of Ireland. It is known that Christian feasts honouring departed souls and ghosts that were observed in the Middle Ages are where Halloween got its start.
Following the festival, there were two further occasions known as All Saints’ Day (celebrated on November 1) and All Souls’ Day (which was celebrated on November 2). Then, on October 31, All Hallows’ Eve was observed. Later, it was renamed Halloween, and ever since it has been a holiday in western Christendom.
When viewed figuratively, Halloween is seen as the day on which the souls of the deceased make their way back to the world of the living. It also has a number of other meanings. The beginning of the harvest season was celebrated on this day in ancient times under a different name, but as time went on, it came to be known as a day dedicated to honouring and praying to the spirits of the deceased. To participate in the festivities and blend in with the dead, people dress up as ghosts, witches, fairies, and other spectral beings.
It is possible to trace the real beginnings of the Halloween festival back thousands of years. Samhain was the name of the event at the time (which is known to be an ancient Celtic festival that was celebrated before the rise of Christianity).
Samhain was observed long before the emergence of Christianity, which is why few people associate Halloween with the Christian religion. Samhain, a well-known celebration, was once observed on November 1 to coincide with the beginning of a new year. Ancient humans gathered around bonfires and lit them. The celebration became known as Halloween Day in the years that followed, and it has since become a staple of western culture.
Halloween is renowned as the season for frightening entertainment. Trick-or-treating, dressing up in eerie and frightening attire, playing practical jokes, carving pumpkins, lighting bonfires, adorning homes and public spaces with spooky decorations, sharing spooky and ominous tales, and last but not least, watching frightful horror movies and television shows are all associated with the holidays. It comprises delectable candy that kids knock on doors begging for while dressed as ghosts, witches, superheroes, and many other well-known figures. Trick-or-treating, which is considered one of the most significant aspects of the Halloween Day celebration, is akin to a costume party. Halloween is all about creative costumes, spooky and frightening decorations, delectable candies, gory drinks, action-packed activities, bonfires, and ghost stories.
The significance of carving pumpkins into Jack-o-lanterns is also enormous. People begin this activity days before Halloween, and they frequently utilize the finished products as decorations both inside and outside of homes. Simply put, it’s regarded as adding more fright to the atmosphere. Many Christians abstain from meat consumption on Halloween. So, on this day, a variety of vegetarian cuisines are consumed.
Candy apples are the most popular Halloween sweet. The beginning of the apple harvest season coincides with Halloween Day, which is why this is the season when apple candies are most popular. They are prepared by covering an apple with sugary syrup that has been sweetened and is handled with a stick. On Halloween, these used to be provided to kids who came to beg for trick-or-treating, but due to misinformation and health-related problems, this tradition was discontinued. This well-known Halloween treat is still offered during this season at fairs and supermarkets, and it serves as one of the well-known dishes served at various Halloween celebrations.
Caramel apples, Halloween cakes and candies, pumpkin pies, roasted sweet corn, roasted pumpkin seeds, soul cakes, sweets, candies, and chocolates, caramel pie, candy corn, candy pumpkin, candy apples, toffee apples, bonfire toffee, barmbrack, and monkey nuts are among the other foods associated with Halloween.
With traces of edible blood, strange shapes like a spider web, skeletons, spiders, frogs, and many more eerie creatures, all the food and drink products offered are given a macabre touch. The prepared beverages and cocktails are shown in a really ominous way. With all of this, the atmosphere is ideal for the spooky season.
Yes, the same day, October 31st, is observed as Halloween Day every year. One of the spookiest and most enjoyable celebrations of a holiday in western culture has long been Halloween. The holiday is at its best with the onset of the fall season and the impending winter, as well as the frigid weather and long, dreary nights. The energy is completely different. Like every year, Halloween Day will be observed on October 31st in 2022.
Another custom associated with Halloween is dressing up in eerie costumes. To master the art of creating outstanding Halloween costumes, you need a lot of imagination and originality. The costumes frequently feature well-known figures from movies and television shows, as well as creepy or eerie objects, animals, and fantastical creatures like unicorns, witches, fairies, goblins, and many others.
Marvel icons like Iron Man, Captain America, the Hulk, Loki, Thor, and many others serve as inspiration for some well-known Halloween costumes. The Hunger Games character Katniss Everdeen is also well-known among young people. Harley Quinn, Rosie the Riveter, Britney Spears, Marilyn Monroe, Princess Leia, the Black Widow, Cat Woman, and a long list of other female-favorite characters are just a few of the classy, frightening, and outrageous costumes that are popular among girls.
While viewing spooky and haunted movies and television shows in their homes, those who are not as into Halloween celebrations but still love this holiday may be spotted. Every year, a variety of horror films and television shows are released around this period. For all of the horror enthusiasts out there, it is the ideal treat.
The Halloween Town, Hocus-pocus, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Exorcist, Scream, The Witches, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, and many others are among the best and most well-known Halloween movies. The spooky adventures of Sabrina, Midnight Mass, The Midnight Club, Stranger Things, The Haunting of Bly Manor, American Horror Story, True Blood, and many more recent television shows are currently popular for the forthcoming Halloween season.
Now that you know all about Halloween, do you want to be a part of this intriguing and fun celebration? You can, if you plan a trip to the US or Canada, or any other countries who celebrate Halloween in style. Or if you can’t, don’t lose heart. You may watch a real scary Halloween movie on Netflix. Let the horror unravel!