Halloween originated from the Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrating the end of the harvest season and believed to allow spirits of the dead to pass into this world. Traditionally known as All Hallows' Eve, it involved customs to honor deceased loved ones, including bonfires and games that predicted the future. Over time, Halloween has evolved with practices like trick-or-treating and dressing up, reflecting diverse meanings for different people.

1. HALLOWEEN!

2. The Originsof Halloween
It is believed thatHalloween originatedfromtheCeltic festivalof Samhain,
pronounced‘sow-in’.
It markedthe end ofthe harvestseasonandSamhainmeans‘summer’s
end’.

3. The Origins ofHalloween
The word Halloween comes from ‘All Hallows' Eve’. Originally,
the word ‘hallow’ referred to a holy person.
All Hallows' Eve was to mark the night before All Saint’s Day on
1st November.
It was a time to remember the dead, including the saints and all
the faithful souls that had departed this world.
Discuss
Doyouthinkthereshouldbea special dayto
remember thedead?

4. Customs and Rituals
Some people began customs to commemorate theirdead relatives,loved ones and saints.
It wasbelieved thaton All Hallows’Eve thespirits of thedead couldpass into thisworld. People would
lay places attheirtable to welcome and remember thesespirits.
Discuss
Whatdoyouthinkaboutthis
custom?
Doyouthinkcustomscouldbea
problem?

5. Customs and Rituals
Othercustoms andritualsalso began tobe carried out.
Special bonfires werelit. Theirflames, smoke andashes
were thoughtto haveprotective andcleansingpowers.
Certaingames were played, whichwereintended to
predict your future,especially in deathandmarriage.
Discuss
Whydoyouthinkpeoplecarried outthese
rituals?
Doyouthinktheyhelpedpeople?
Apple Bobbing
This game involved getting an
apple out of a bowl of water
using only your teeth. There
would be initials carved into
the apple and legend said that
you would marry the
person with
those initials.
Some people believed in standing
in front of a mirror and asking the
devil to reveal their future
husband or wife.

6. Trick-or-treatbegan as‘mumming’.
Children wouldgo fromhouseto
houseandprayforsouls ofthe deador
sing rhymes.In return,theywould be
given ‘soul cake’.
Discuss
Thinkof the types of people who might not likebeing
visited bytrickor treating. Why?
Do youthink some people might be afraid on Halloween
night?
Do youthink it is completely harmless?
Tricks used to mean a simple form of
mischief. These days the trick is more like a
prank, and can get very out of hand and
destructive. People have had their property
damaged and sometimes their pets harmed.
Trick-or-Treat

7. Christian Influence
All Saints'Dayusedtobein Maybutin AD 835,PopeGregory III moved thedateto1st
November.
Bells wererungto remember the‘poordeadsouls’andcakeswerebakedto sharewiththe
living.
Barns and homes were
blessed to protect people and
livestock from the effect of
witches, who were believed to
travel with the unhappy spirits
as they wandered the earth.

8. Dressing Up
SowhydopeopledressupatHalloween?
It wastraditionallybelieved thatthe soulsof thedepartedwanderedthe earthuntil All Saints'Day.
All Hallows' Evewas onelastchanceforthedead toget revenge on theirenemies beforemoving
tothe nextworld.Sothatthe living weren’t recognised byanysoul thatmight beseeking revenge,
peoplewouldwearmasksorcostumestodisguise theiridentities.
Discuss
How mustpeoplehavefelt togo tothe troubleof
dressing upto avoidtheirdeadenemies?
Doyouthinkpeoplewouldbelieve this nowadays?
If not,whynot?

9. Halloween Symbols
There are particular symbols associated with Halloween:
• carved pumpkinsor jack-o’-lanterns– these were used to frighten off bad
spirits.
• skulls – to remember the fragility of life.
• ghosts – the pranksters of Halloween causing mischief and not
being seen.
• scarecrowsandcorn – to represent the end of harvest and death.
• witches– a woman thought to have magic powers, traditionally
seen as evil by the Catholic church.

10. What Do You Think?
Halloween can meanmanythingsformanypeople.
Whatdoesit meantoyou?
Whatdoesit meantootherpeoplein yourfamily?
Doyouthinkitis anappropriatetopicforchildren tolearnabout?
DoyouthinkHalloween haschanged sinceit began?How?