The Origin of Halloween

I was talking about Hallowe’en’s Jack-o’-lantern last time.
But do you know what ‘Hallowe’en’ means?

Hallowe’en is a Christian festival possibly drawing on early Celtic (pagan) traditions. It started as a religious annual event for celebrating autumn harvest. October 31st was the end of year for the Celts’ and people in the village would make big sacred bonfire to get rid of misfortune on the New Year’s Eve. Since the winter season would start on the following day, November 1st, people in the village would share the bonfire to light in a fireplace of each house for the coming winter.

The night of Hallowe’en was believed that the spirits’ would visit their family, just like Obon Festival in Japan. At the same time, it was believed that there were lots of bad spirits or of witches would wander around the village. To protect themselves from those evil spirits, people would wear masks or dress up in costumes to pretend that they were not human.

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Hallowe’en has still been practiced in recent days although there is little religious purpose. On the night of October 31st, children dress up in costumes and go out for “trick-or-treating” in their neighborhood decorated with Jack-O-lantern.

“Trick-or-Treating” is said to have evolved from a custom that people used to prepare offerings to settle down the wandering, unwelcomed spirits while they prayed for good harvest in the next year.

Hallowe’en is a popular event in Ireland, England, America, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, but recently, it has become one of the most popular events in Japan as well.

Hallowe’en as well as Christmas is foreign culture originated in the religious history, but the Japanese people tend to simply enjoy those foreign cultures as one of the annual events.

With the current of such trends, Hallowe’en events are held in various places, many snack manufacturers change packages to Hallowe’en versions, and Hallowe’en colors (orange and black) and characters (witches, ghosts, etc.) share the market widely which eventually gain much attention and interests of consumers.


Hallowe’en Parade in Kawasaki City
[AFP BBNews http://www.afpbb.com/articles/-/3002219 ]