Every year around this time in Chile, advertisements in TV, Radio, markets and special offers in Discoteques and Pubs talks about a singular conmemoration. Excited children and even adults are dressed up as witches, pirates, devils, ghosts, Dracula and other creatures, and they go from door to door shouting, "Trick or Treat”. But… Do we know what is the Halloween? How did this peculiar custom originate? Is a pagan or catholic custom?
The word itself “Halloween” actually has its origins in the Catholic Church. It comes from a play on words of “All Hallows Eve” (“All Saint Day”), celebrated on November 1st in honour of saints and martyrs, introduced by Pope Gregory IV. But the celebration has its origins in pagan practices.
In the 5th Century B.C., celtic people celebrated the end of the summer and beginning of the winter, a time of the year associated with death. The holiday was called “Samhain” (sow-en), the Celtic New Year.
The Celts believed that on that night, the boundary between the worlds of the life and death were thin, and the bodiless ghosts came back in search of living bodies to posses them. Obviously, the still-living did not want to be possessed and they dressed up as someone or something so that the devil or ghost could not identify them. The Druids priests, commemorated the event; It was a night for striking up communications with the death, there were several forms of divination, like animal sacrifices; prophecies, and sexual rituals. For that reason was pagan.
Also, they went from house to house asking for dead animals, black sheep, and human beings. Those who gave were promised prosperity and those who refused to give were cursed and threatened. In addition, it was likely that all of the "bodiless ghosts" would get hungry. If they set out a treat for them, they would not trick or curse you. That is the origin of TRICK OR TREAT. Another pagan ritual.
When the Romans occupied Celtic territory, several Roman traditions were also incorporated into the festivals. Feralia, a day celebrated in late October by the Romans for the passing of the dead as well as a festival which celebrated the Roman Goddess Pomona, the goddess of fruit were incorporated into the celebrations. The symbol of Pomona was an apple, which is a proposed origin for the tradition of bobbing for apples on Halloween.
As European immigrants came to America, they brought their varied Halloween customs with them. Parties focused on games, foods of the season, and festive costumes and it has continued to grow.
Two years ago, in some Chilean catholic churches, people are celebrating the All Souls feast day, in Halloween night, where children dress up as saint, angels and they give saint cards and peace messages.
Finally in my own point of view, I think the catholic is only the word but the custom is pagan because in halloween it is conmemorated the death, the underworld, where we can see and observe violent fancy dresses, blood, monsters and even inmoral figures. Let’s stimulate the catholic practice!
The word itself “Halloween” actually has its origins in the Catholic Church. It comes from a play on words of “All Hallows Eve” (“All Saint Day”), celebrated on November 1st in honour of saints and martyrs, introduced by Pope Gregory IV. But the celebration has its origins in pagan practices.
In the 5th Century B.C., celtic people celebrated the end of the summer and beginning of the winter, a time of the year associated with death. The holiday was called “Samhain” (sow-en), the Celtic New Year.
The Celts believed that on that night, the boundary between the worlds of the life and death were thin, and the bodiless ghosts came back in search of living bodies to posses them. Obviously, the still-living did not want to be possessed and they dressed up as someone or something so that the devil or ghost could not identify them. The Druids priests, commemorated the event; It was a night for striking up communications with the death, there were several forms of divination, like animal sacrifices; prophecies, and sexual rituals. For that reason was pagan.
Also, they went from house to house asking for dead animals, black sheep, and human beings. Those who gave were promised prosperity and those who refused to give were cursed and threatened. In addition, it was likely that all of the "bodiless ghosts" would get hungry. If they set out a treat for them, they would not trick or curse you. That is the origin of TRICK OR TREAT. Another pagan ritual.
When the Romans occupied Celtic territory, several Roman traditions were also incorporated into the festivals. Feralia, a day celebrated in late October by the Romans for the passing of the dead as well as a festival which celebrated the Roman Goddess Pomona, the goddess of fruit were incorporated into the celebrations. The symbol of Pomona was an apple, which is a proposed origin for the tradition of bobbing for apples on Halloween.
As European immigrants came to America, they brought their varied Halloween customs with them. Parties focused on games, foods of the season, and festive costumes and it has continued to grow.
Two years ago, in some Chilean catholic churches, people are celebrating the All Souls feast day, in Halloween night, where children dress up as saint, angels and they give saint cards and peace messages.
Finally in my own point of view, I think the catholic is only the word but the custom is pagan because in halloween it is conmemorated the death, the underworld, where we can see and observe violent fancy dresses, blood, monsters and even inmoral figures. Let’s stimulate the catholic practice!
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