The Ancient Origins of Halloween

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It begins with Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival marking summer's end and the harvest's close<sup class='text_citation' source_id='2'></sup><sup class='text_citation' source_id='7'></sup><sup class='text_citation' source_id='15'></sup>.

During this time, the Celts believed the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead grew thin, allowing spirits to return to earth<sup class='text_citation' source_id='4'></sup><sup class='text_citation' source_id='7'></sup><sup class='text_citation' source_id='17'></sup>.

To ward off unwelcome spirits, people lit great bonfires and wore costumes, often made from animal skins, as a clever disguise<sup class='text_citation' source_id='2'></sup><sup class='text_citation' source_id='4'></sup><sup class='text_citation' source_id='14'></sup>.

Later, the Christian church established All Saints' Day on November 1st, and the night before became known as All Hallows' Eve, which was eventually shortened to Halloween<sup class='text_citation' source_id='3'></sup><sup class='text_citation' source_id='6'></sup><sup class='text_citation' source_id='15'></sup>.