The Truth Behind Halloween

The Truth Behind Halloween

by Tyler Johnson

Flyer Flash, Staff Writer

ST. GEORGE - One of the most controversial holidays, Halloween, has become more popular with years to come.

Dressing up, trick-or-treating, giving out candy, decorating, carving pumpkins, being with friends, and even praking, but was this always the traditions of Halloween as we know it.

The answer is no. Halloween's beginnings are thought to have originated over 2000 years ago from Ireland with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in).

The night before the Celtic New Year (October 1st) was thought to open up a gateway and the boundary between the world of the living and the world of the dead would connect.

Samhain was thought to bring spirits into the world through this so called gate, and because of the supernatural presence they believed it would make it easier to predict the future. 

These prophecies were an important aspect in a volatile world where the Celts depended on to live.
 

Many Years after that, the Celts were conquered by the Romans. The Roman victory brought the symbol of the apple, which honors Pomona, the goddess of fruit, and this is where the tradition of bobbing for apples came from.

Halloween later came to America but was a funny aspect to Americans. Many had different views on how it was bad which is the exact opposite of what it has become today.

Many people have forgotten the wonderful and colorful past of Halloween but a select few can remember.

Mr. Wegkamp of Dixie High School is a great example of the few that can remember Halloween's past, “It originates with the Druids and the Celts in the Northern Europe area and later became known as All-Hallows-Eve.”

It's nice to know that people do remember the origin of Halloween because it is a very important part of our traditional history.

The Flyer Flash. October 2011