Children in costumes race from house to house asking for treats A carved pumpkin called a jacko’lantern grins from a porch as the children pass According to legend jacko’lanterns protect people in their homes from ghostly spirits
It’s all part of the fun on Halloween The roots of Halloween stretch back thousands of years and borrow customs from several parts of the world
WHAT IS HALLOWEEN
Halloween is a holiday celebrated on October 31 By tradition Halloween begins after sunset Long ago people believed that witches gathered together and ghosts roamed the world on Halloween Today most people no longer believe in ghosts and witches But these supernatural beings are still a part of Halloween
The colors black and orange are also a part of Halloween Black is a symbol for night and orange is the color of pumpkins A jacko’lantern is a hollowedout pumpkin with a face carved on one side Candles are usually placed inside giving the face a spooky glow
DRESSING IN COSTUMES
Dressing in masks and costumes is a popular Halloween activity Costumes can be traditional and scary such as a witch’s pointy hat and black gown Costumes may also have a modern flavor Many children dress up as movie characters or a favorite superhero
But Halloween is not just for children Many adults enjoy showing off their costumes at Halloween parties
TRICKORTREATING
Once in costume children go from house to house saying Trick or treat In the past children might play a trick on people who did not give treats They might pelt houses with eggs or old tomatoes or play other pranks Today children’s cries of Trick or treat are usually rewarded with candy
HOW HALLOWEEN GOT STARTED
One of the oldest Halloween traditions comes from the ancient Celts who lived in western and central Europe long ago The Celts celebrated a holiday
y called Sa amhain on October 31 After sunset that day people believed that spirits of the dead would rise and walk the earth The Celts made offerings of food and drink to keep the spirits away
Beginning about 2000 years ago the Roman Empire conquered many Celtic peoples But Celtic traditions including Samhain remained strong in areas such as Ireland and Scotland even after the Roman conquest
The Roman Catholic Church tried to replace Samhain in 835 with All Saints’ Day a day to honor saints of the Church The eve of All Saints’ Day is October 31 It is called Allhallows or Hallowmas by the Church
HOW DID HALLOWEEN COME TO AMERICA
Halloween first came to America with early settlers from Celtic areas in Europe such as Ireland and Scotland But other American settlers with strict religious beliefs including the Puritans from England rejected Halloween The arrival of many Irish immigrants during the 1800s helped spread Halloween’s popularity
But by the late 1800s fewer people believed in ancient superstitions of ghosts and witches Halloween became more a holiday for children to receive treats and dress in costume
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