What is Halloween?
The term Halloween is a shortened version of "All-Hallow-Even", the eve of "All-Hallows'-Day" (also known as All Saints' Day). The modern version of Halloween is believed to have originated from the ancient Pagan festival Samhain. In Celtic culture, Samhain celebrated the end of the harvest season and stocking up on supplies and livestock for the winter ahead.
The Celts believed that on the evening of October 31st, the deceased would come back to life and cause trouble to the livings' health and crops as the boundaries between the world of the living and the dead overlapped. The Celts therefore held festivals to scare off or placate returning troublesome spirits, that included burning bonfires and wearing costumes and masks.
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