Ancient Origins and Evolution of Halloween Traditions.
By: Babita Singh
wisdomimbibe.com
Halloween, a contraction of All Hallows' Eve, is celebrated on October 31st, the evening before All Saints' Day.
The holiday marks the beginning of the Western Christian feast of All Saints and the season of Allhallowtide, lasting three days.
Halloween's origins can be traced back to the Celtic festival of Samhain in ancient Britain and Ireland.
During Samhain, people believed the souls of the deceased would return, and bonfires were lit to ward off evil spirits.
Halloween's association with witches, demons, and other supernatural beings developed from these traditions.
Pope Boniface IV established All Saints' Day, moving it to November 1, leading to the creation of Halloween.
Halloween has evolved into a secular holiday, celebrated with costume parties, trick-or-treating, and games like bobbing for apples.
The jack-o'-lantern, originally a turnip, carved with a demonic face and lit with a candle, is a symbol of Halloween, while UNICEF has incorporated charity into the holiday's traditions.