Origins of Halloween
Halloween originated over 2000 years ago in Ancient Britain and Ireland. The Celtic peoples celebrated Samhain near the end of October to mark the end of the harvest and the beginning of the new year.1
Fast Facts
- Celebrated annually on October 31
- Originally called Samhain by the Celts
- The Celts wore costumes made from animal skins and heads2
- Druids built bonfires to the Gods3
- The name Halloween originated in the Catholic Church, from All Hallow's Eve1
Ancient Celtic Fortune Tellers
Because they believed the veil between worlds was so thin on Halloween night, the Celts thought that spirits were able to cross over from the otherworld. These spirits strengthened one's ability to divine the future. Thus people walked around in costumes made from animal skins, divining each other's futures.3
Halloween Information and Fun
Learn about the history of Halloween—the origins of the holiday date back to 1000 B.C.!
Spooky sayings abound on our Halloween quotes page
Take a lip-smacking look at some great Halloween candy, cupcake and cake ideas
Enjoy some hilarious Halloween pictures
Make plans to wait for the Great Pumpkin with Charlie Brown
Related Pages on Mahalo
History of Halloween | Halloween Timeline | Halloween 2008 | Halloween | Halloween Costumes | Halloween Makeup Photos | Halloween Cupcakes | Halloween Recipes | Halloween Candy | Samhain
Categories
