Within this month, on 31 October, it will be: Halloween, a name first used in the 16th century, in Scotland. Halloween is a corruption of All Hallows‘ Even, the night before All Saints’ Day. But where do the roots of Halloween lie? For this answer, we have to dig into the past and we end up with the Celtic festival Samhain.
In the style of John Anster Fitzgerald, The fairy scene, going to the masked ball. Source: The Guardian.
Celtic costume party – The belief of the Celts was that during this feast, a ‘door’ to the underworld was left ajar so that the souls of the dead and fabulous creatures could come to the human world. A feast was given in honour of these souls. But what if evil creatures like demons also made their appearance? Then dressing up was the option to scare off these demonic creatures.
The Christian world – After the arrival of Christian preachers in Ireland and Britain, around the 9th century, this ‘pagan’ feast mixed with the Christian ‘All Saints’ Day’. Pope Boniface IV introduced this feast in 609 on May 13, but this was changed in 835 by Pope Gregory IV on November 1. Feast day All Souls’ Day followed this on November 2, the day where the departed are commemorated.
Daniel Maclise, Snap-Apple Night, or All-Hallow Eve, 1833. Source: Historia
Overseas – By the day, festivities around Halloween are becoming more popular, particularly we see this movement coming from both North and South America. Thanks to emigrants (mainly Irish and Scottish) in the 19th century, this celebration rightly came overseas. During the first half of the 20th century, this celebration spread to all walks of life. Hollowing out pumpkins was done in America, the Celts also did this, but in turnips.
Popular culture – In recent decades, Halloween has been celebrated more and more, thanks to the spread of American culture; consider the influence of the Kardashians, for example. Each family member decorates their house(s) to the top both interior and garden. Disney also does its bit: for instance, the film Coco is based on the beautiful and colourful Kingdom of the Dead; a reference to the Mexican festival and commemoration day Dias des Mortes.
Frida Kahlo, Dia De Los Muertos Portrait with Cactus Print. Source: Saatchi Art.
Subtle Halloween decoration – Should you want to decorate your home during Halloween, but not do it ‘American-style’? Then choose a few timeless items and keep the decoration simple: for example, place a (small) pumpkin next to an item, like in this small hand-painted Porceleyne Fles lid vase, and use the following colours: orange, brown, white and black. Do you have visitors? Then the Gold Plated Art Deco bowl on foot is a top idea to put sweets on here. A spider web (with fake spider) might also be a fun option, but not useful if you have a cat! Happy Halloween!
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All Hallow’s Even, the night before All Saints’ Day: decorate your home for Halloween!
Within this month, on 31 October, it will be: Halloween, a name first used in the 16th century, in Scotland. Halloween is a corruption of All Hallows‘ Even, the night before All Saints’ Day. But where do the roots of Halloween lie? For this answer, we have to dig into the past and we end up with the Celtic festival Samhain.
In the style of John Anster Fitzgerald, The fairy scene, going to the masked ball. Source: The Guardian.
Celtic costume party – The belief of the Celts was that during this feast, a ‘door’ to the underworld was left ajar so that the souls of the dead and fabulous creatures could come to the human world. A feast was given in honour of these souls. But what if evil creatures like demons also made their appearance? Then dressing up was the option to scare off these demonic creatures.
The Christian world – After the arrival of Christian preachers in Ireland and Britain, around the 9th century, this ‘pagan’ feast mixed with the Christian ‘All Saints’ Day’. Pope Boniface IV introduced this feast in 609 on May 13, but this was changed in 835 by Pope Gregory IV on November 1. Feast day All Souls’ Day followed this on November 2, the day where the departed are commemorated.
Daniel Maclise, Snap-Apple Night, or All-Hallow Eve, 1833. Source: Historia
Overseas – By the day, festivities around Halloween are becoming more popular, particularly we see this movement coming from both North and South America. Thanks to emigrants (mainly Irish and Scottish) in the 19th century, this celebration rightly came overseas. During the first half of the 20th century, this celebration spread to all walks of life. Hollowing out pumpkins was done in America, the Celts also did this, but in turnips.
Popular culture – In recent decades, Halloween has been celebrated more and more, thanks to the spread of American culture; consider the influence of the Kardashians, for example. Each family member decorates their house(s) to the top both interior and garden. Disney also does its bit: for instance, the film Coco is based on the beautiful and colourful Kingdom of the Dead; a reference to the Mexican festival and commemoration day Dias des Mortes.
Frida Kahlo, Dia De Los Muertos Portrait with Cactus Print. Source: Saatchi Art.
Subtle Halloween decoration – Should you want to decorate your home during Halloween, but not do it ‘American-style’? Then choose a few timeless items and keep the decoration simple: for example, place a (small) pumpkin next to an item, like in this small hand-painted Porceleyne Fles lid vase, and use the following colours: orange, brown, white and black. Do you have visitors? Then the Gold Plated Art Deco bowl on foot is a top idea to put sweets on here. A spider web (with fake spider) might also be a fun option, but not useful if you have a cat! Happy Halloween!
Bronnen:
– IsGeschiedenis, Oorsprong van Halloween.
– Historia, Trine Roslev, Waar komt Hallloween vandaan?
– Celtic Cross Online.