The Irish Origins of Halloween

Traditionally celebrated from 31 October to 1 November, the festival of Samhain is meant to celebrate the end of the annual harvest season and the coming of winter. Samhain marks the time of year when livestock were brought in from their summer grazing grounds. Celebrated with great feasts, the ancient Celtic people also traditionally lit enormous bonfires to keep away the spirits of the dead thought to ‘awaken’ during Samhain.

According to Celtic culture, the transitions between seasons are associated with spirits and fairies – when the boundaries between the worlds were at their weakest. The most significant time of the year for spirits was Samhain, when the boundary between our world and the world of the dead dissolved. This one night of the year, it is said that spirits and fairies could easily cross into our world.

To keep the spirits at bay, the people left out offerings, mostly food and drink (not unlike the ‘offerings’ given out during Halloween festivities), as well as a seat at the feast table, to appease these stowaway ancestors and fairies. This was meant to appease the spirits and convince them not to get up to any mischief during their annual visit. Perhaps not the same as handing out free candy to kids who knock on the door, but you can see the connection! 

The idea wasn’t to dress up as something (i.e. a pirate or vampire or Viking etc). Instead, the practice of disguising oneself is a sort of countermeasure to hide from the spirits and fairies.

Today largely practised by children, Samhain disguises used to be worn by all. Common disguises were simple – covering oneself in soot, a boy wearing his sister’s clothes (or vice versa), turning one’s clothing inside out, wearing a handmade mask made of sack or sheet, etc. These disguises were meant to confuse any spirits who might be looking for a specific person to do them harm.

Though pumpkins are from North America, the practice of carving vegetables comes from Ireland. In the past during Samhain, long before pumpkins made their way to Europe, the Irish would have carved turnips (far more creepy than pumpkins!) in order to ward off the spirits. Perhaps next year, you’ll get in the spirit of Halloween by trying to carve a turnip!

It is said that the idea of Halloween was carried to the USA by Irish immigrants (much like St Patrick’s Day was as well). Over time, the holiday gradually changed to fit with the American idea of Halloween – which is where the elaborate costumes, scary movies, free candy and bright orange pumpkins came in.