History of Halloween

The Halloween holiday we've all come to know and love is a combination of several different
celebrations from different cultures and religions. The ancient Celtic people celebrated Samhain,
marking the end of harvest season and a time when ghosts visited the earth. After the Roman
Empire conquered the Celtic people, their festivals of Feralia, a day in late October when the
Romans honored the passing of the dead and Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees, were
combined with Samhain.

Why do we dress-up in costumes on Halloween?

The tradition originated as a way for the Celtic and other European people to hide from the spirits
who returned at this time of year. People wore masks when they left their homes after dark so the
ghosts would think they were fellow spirits.

Nowadays, people dress up on Halloween to go out trick or treating, or parting, showing their
creativity with their costumes.

Where does trick or treating come from?

Trick-or-treating likely evolved from two different cultures. the Celtic people who would place
bowls of food outside to keep the ghosts out of their houses and make the spirits happy.

And medieval custom of "souling" in England. On All Souls' Day celebrations, poor people would
knock on doors asking for food in exchange for saying prayers for the home's dead relatives.

Nowadays, children wait for Halloween night eagerly to go out and trick or treat to receive lots of
candy!