A history lesson...

You can not go anywhere without seeing them: Halloween costumes and decorations. Candy, masks, and pumpkin candles abound on work-desks, advertisements, and front porches. Since I live out in the country and do not get trick-or-treaters, I am amused by how many items can be turned into ghost shapes and sold with an already-discounted price.

Like so many holidays and celebrations, most of us enjoy a reason to party and eat candy, but do you know the history of Halloween and how it began? Did you know the original Halloween began two thousand years ago?

The first mention of the importance of October 31 to November 1st, is the Celtic festival, Samhain. A time to welcome the harvest and acknowledge entry into the “dark half” of the year, people dressed in animal costumes to ward off evil spirits. 

When Rome conquered Celtic territory, they combined the Celtic tradition with the Roman day Feralia, which honored the dead, and their day of honoring Pomona, goddess of fruit and trees. Her symbol was the apple - I wonder if that is where bobbing for apples began?

In the eighth century,  the Pope designated November 1st as All Saints Day, and October 31st as All Hallows Eve, attempting to turn a pagan ritual into a church-accepted event. 

Halloween almost bit the dust during the early puritanical settlers in America. It was not until the Irish immigrated during the potato famine that the holiday found a new popularity.

Of course, the holiday is now completely commercialized. Children (and adults) have no idea why they are dressing up as Wonder Woman except that they receive candy for their troubles.

It is fascinating to me how our celebrations have both changed and stayed the same over centuries. What other traditions do you know of that originated for a different reason and have adapted over time?