CULTURE: Halloween, between Celtic roots and American triumph…

Halloween: From Celtic Origins to Global Celebration

Once limited mainly to Anglo-Saxon countries, Halloween has firmly entered the Western collective consciousness as a key festival honoring the dead. Although today it is associated with costumes, candy, and pumpkins, its roots reach far deeper into ancient, mystical traditions.

Celtic Beginnings

The festival finds its origins in Samhain, a Celtic celebration over two thousand years old that marked the end of the harvest season and the start of winter’s darkness. It was seen as a liminal time when the boundary between the living and the dead grew thin. To protect themselves from wandering spirits, communities lit bonfires and donned masks.

Christian Influence

As Christianity spread through Europe, Samhain was gradually integrated into the church calendar. In the 8th century, All Saints’ Day was moved to November 1st to overlap with existing pagan festivities.

Preservation in Ireland

In Ireland, the customs surrounding the dead remained robust and evolved organically over centuries, retaining much of their original spirit and significance.

Transformation in America

The 19th century wave of Irish immigration to the United States played a pivotal role in shaping Halloween into the form widely recognized today. American influences reinvented the festival, making it a lively event of costumes, trick-or-treating, and communal celebration.

"Halloween was reborn in the United States during the 19th century Irish immigration, evolving into the holiday known worldwide today."

From ancient Celtic rites to a vibrant modern festival, Halloween showcases a fascinating blend of history and cultural adaptation.

Author's summary: Halloween evolved from ancient Celtic rituals into a global celebration through Christian adaptation and Irish-American reinvention, blending past spiritual meanings with festive customs.

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ENTREVUE.FR ENTREVUE.FR — 2025-11-01

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