October 31 marked the Halloween day and is celebrated with great euphemism in the northern pole. As Thursday, October 31 approaches, a wave of excitement covers the globe. 

The tradition traces its roots to the ancient Celtic festivals of Samhain, when people lit bonfires and wore costumes to ward off ghosts.

Pope Gregory III declared November 1 a day to commemorate all saints in the seventh century. Samhain customs were soon absorbed into All Saints Day. All Hallows Eve and then Halloween were the names given to the previous evening. Halloween has become a day filled with celebrations, trick-or-treating, dressing up, and snacking.

What is the History of Halloween?

Halloween originates in Samhain, a celebration the ancient Celts held to honor their gods and mark the end of the light half of the year and the beginning of the dark half - 2,000 years ago. 

According to historical accounts, at that time, the Celts, who inhabited what is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, considered November 1 the first day of their new year.

The day is indicated as the end of summer, its harvest, and the coming of the dark, cold winter. This was the part of the year that was most often associated with death in people. As an outgrowth of the dark and cold starting to winter, the Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the barriers between the worlds for the living and those who were dead grew indistinct.

On October 31st night of the year, they honored Samhain when it was believed that ghosts of the dead returned to earth.

To celebrate this feast, the Druids put up huge sacred bonfires where the people would gather to burn crops and animals as a sacrifice before the Celtic gods. During the celebration, people dressed up in costumes with animal heads and skins, trying to reveal each other's fortunes.

They restruck the holy bonfire at the end of the festival to assist in safeguarding them through the impending winter by burning fires, which they had extinguished earlier that night.

Quick Glimpse of Halloween Traditions 

1- Pumpkin Carving

Pumpkin carving is traced back to the Celtic practice of carving menacing faces into turnips during Samhain. These turnips are considered the source of wedding off evil spirits. 

2- Trick or Treating 

While there is a lot of debate around the origins of trick-or-treating, the prevailing theory centers around European origins. In medieval England, during All Saints Day, people would go door-to-door, offering to pray for the souls of the deceased in exchange for "soul cakes." 

The practice later came to the U.S. and evolved into trick-or-treating, incorporating the addition of costumes in the early 20th century.

3- Scary Costumes

Samhain tradition behind the origin of wearing scary costumes. This, over time, blossomed into something more fun and playful and included alter egos and nods to those characters dearest to our hearts.

4- Black Cat Superstition 

Black cats are omens of bad luck, and this belief came from medieval Europe, where black cats were considered a semblance of bad luck. This adds a touch of mystery to the holiday. 

Conclusion

Halloween has been celebrating science years. Its history is littered with complexity yet compelling.

Each day, October 31, shower the remembrance of the event. Celebrating Halloween by wearing its costume makes it more enjoyable.