October Issue, written by Angela Yuriko Smith
The International Origins of the Halloween
By Angela Yuriko Smith
As I prepare to step into my new role as the new HWA President, I find myself thinking a lot about Halloween. Kevin Wetmore affectionately named members of the organization “The Halloween People,” and the moniker has stuck like wet candy corn in spider web gauze.
A United States transplant, I now live in the Southern Hemisphere where Halloween means Spring. Far north, in the place of my own origins, the cool, crisp winds of October stir something deep within the human spirit, beckoning the shadows of the past into the light of the present day.
Halloween, with its spooky allure of carved pumpkins, costumed figures, and whispered tales of spirits, is now celebrated around the world. But this festival, known for its dark and playful nature, is far more than candy and costumes. Its roots wind through centuries, crossing continents, shaped by rituals of harvest, remembrance, and the mysterious balance between life and death.
The Celtic Origins: Samhain
The history of Halloween begins with the Celts, an ancient people whose lands spanned across Ireland, Scotland, and parts of what we now call France. Over 2,000 years ago, they marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter with a festival known as Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”). This was a time of transition—a moment when the boundary between the living and the dead was believed to blur. On the night of October 31st, the Celts believed that spirits could cross into the realm of the living, and to ward off malevolent entities, they lit bonfires and donned disguises, blending in with the spirits.
As the nights grew longer, the flickering flames of these fires stood as beacons, keeping the darkness at bay. People left offerings of food and drink for wandering spirits and ancestors, a practice that would evolve into modern-day trick-or-treating. This was a night not of fear, but of respect for those who had passed, a connection to the unseen world that would profoundly shape Halloween's evolution.
The Roman Influence: Festivals of the Dead
When the Romans conquered Celtic lands, their own traditions blended with the Celtic observances of Samhain. The Roman festivals of Feralia, which commemorated the dead, and Pomona, a harvest celebration dedicated to the goddess of fruit and trees, added new layers to the evolving Halloween tradition. Apples, a symbol of Pomona, began to feature prominently in the festivities. Apple-bobbing, a playful game still enjoyed today, has its origins in this blend of Roman and Celtic traditions.
With the rise of Christianity, the ancient festival of Samhain took on new meaning. In the 9th century, Pope Gregory III declared November 1st as All Saints' Day, or All Hallows', a day to honor the saints and martyrs. The evening before, October 31st, became known as All Hallows' Eve, which would later morph into "Halloween." This new religious significance was intended to replace the pagan festival, but old customs die hard. The ghostly elements of Samhain persisted, though they began to take on more symbolic, playful forms.
Medieval Europe: Ghosts, Witches, and Mischief
By the Middle Ages, Halloween had become a night of superstition across Europe. People believed that on this night, witches flew overhead, and ghosts wandered the earth. But it wasn’t just about fear. Halloween was also a time for mischief. In Ireland and Scotland, young people would go guising—dressing up in costumes and going door to door, reciting verses or performing tricks in exchange for food. This custom later crossed the Atlantic and became the trick-or-treating we know today.
As the Catholic Church spread, Halloween also took on the tone of souling. In England, poor people would go from house to house offering prayers for the souls of the departed in exchange for small "soul cakes." This practice, a blend of charity and spiritual duty, lingered even as the festival itself became more secular.
México: Día de los Muertos
In Mexico, a tradition evolved in parallel but with a distinctly different tone—Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Rooted in ancient Aztec traditions that honored the dead, this celebration took place at the end of October and the beginning of November. When Catholic missionaries arrived in the Americas, they blended indigenous beliefs with All Saints' and All Souls' Days, creating the vibrant celebration of death we see today.
Día de los Muertos isn’t about frightening ghosts or spirits; it’s about remembering and honoring loved ones who have passed on. Families create ofrendas—altars with offerings of food, drink, and cherished items for the deceased. Brightly colored marigolds, sugar skulls, and candles guide the spirits back to the land of the living. While Halloween in the United States focuses on the spooky and the macabre, Día de los Muertos emphasizes remembrance and celebration, a cultural reflection of the diverse ways humans view death.
Halloween in America: A Melting Pot of Traditions
When Irish and Scottish immigrants brought Halloween to the United States in the 19th century, it rapidly transformed into a distinctly American holiday. Pumpkins replaced the traditional turnip lanterns, as they were larger and easier to carve, giving rise to the Jack-o’-lantern. The merging of European and American customs evolved the holiday into one that embraced both community spirit and playful mischief. Trick-or-treating took hold in the early 20th century, cementing Halloween’s reputation as a night for children.
But Halloween also took on a life of its own in the United States. Hollywood horror movies began to shape the public's fascination with the darker elements of the holiday. Films like Halloween and Nightmare on Elm Street became iconic representations of the night’s potential for fear and fun, contributing to Halloween’s embrace of horror, fantasy, and the supernatural.
Modern-Day Halloween: A Global Celebration
Today, Halloween is celebrated around the world, but it takes on different flavors depending on the culture. In Japan, Halloween has become a massive commercial event, with vibrant street parties and elaborate costumes—though without the trick-or-treating. In Italy, Ognissanti (All Saints' Day) and Il Giorno dei Morti (Day of the Dead) are still observed, blending somber remembrance with festive traditions. In many Latin American countries, Día de los Muertos continues to thrive as a uniquely joyful festival of death and life.
In places like Australia, Brazil and New Zealand, Halloween is a newer phenomenon, increasingly influenced by American pop culture. Children dress up, adults throw themed parties, and pumpkin decorations appear in the streets, although the holiday doesn't carry the same weight it does in the U.S. The exorbitant price of bringing pumpkins to the Southern Hemisphere might have something to do with that.
As Halloween continues to evolve, it remains a unique celebration that reflects humanity’s relationship with death, mystery, and the spirit world. From its ancient Celtic roots to its modern-day, global incarnations, Halloween is a testament to the universal human need to understand and embrace the unknown.
The Eternal Spirit of Halloween
While Halloween may have changed dramatically over the centuries, one thing remains the same: it is a night when the ordinary world slips into the extraordinary, where the living and the dead dance on the thin line between light and shadow. Whether it’s the flicker of a Jack-o’-lantern on an American porch, the scent of marigolds on a Mexican altar, or the rustling of costumes in the streets of Tokyo, Halloween is a night that transcends boundaries—uniting us all in the mysterious magic of the season.
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