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Halloween is a celebration observed on October 31, the day before the feast of All Hallows, also known as Hallowmas or All Saint's Day.The celebrations and observances of this day occur primarily in regions of the Western world, albeit with some traditions varying significantly between geographical areas.
Halloween shop in Derry, Northern Ireland, selling masks. Halloween costumes were traditionally modeled after figures such as vampires, ghosts, skeletons, scary looking witches, and devils. [66] Over time, the costume selection extended to include popular characters from fiction, celebrities, and generic archetypes such as ninjas and princesses.
On Halloween night in present-day Ireland, adults and children dress up as creatures from the underworld (e.g., ghosts, ghouls, zombies, witches, and goblins), light bonfires, and enjoy spectacular fireworks displays—in particular, the city of Derry is home to the largest organized Halloween celebration on the island, in the form of a street carnival and fireworks display. [2]
In the U.S., Halloween was popularized in the second half of the 19th century thanks to European immigrants bringing over the tradition, according to History. What countries celebrate Halloween?
Samhain (/ ˈ s ɑː w ɪ n / SAH-win, / ˈ s aʊ ɪ n / SOW-in, Irish: [ˈsˠəunʲ], Scottish Gaelic: [ˈs̪ãũ.ɪɲ]) or Sauin (Manx: [ˈsoːɪnʲ]) is a Gaelic festival on 1 November marking the end of the harvest season and beginning of winter or the "darker half" of the year. [1]
It has also been suggested that the wearing of Halloween costumes developed from the custom of souling, which was practiced by Christians in parts of Western Europe from at least the 15th century. [ 11 ] [ 12 ] At Allhallowtide , groups of poor people would go door-to-door, collecting soul cakes – either as representatives of the dead [ 13 ...
Trick-or-treating, Halloween parties, costumes, carving pumpkins, and haunted houses—if you grew up celebrating Halloween this is likely how you envision October 31 always was, but the holiday ...
St Martin's Day Kermis by Peeter Baltens (16th century), shows peasants celebrating by drinking the first wine of the season, and a horseman representing the saint. Saint Martin's Day or Martinmas (obsolete: Martlemas), [1] [2] and historically called Old Halloween [A] or All Hallows Eve, [B] [3] [4] is the feast day of Saint Martin of Tours and is celebrated in the liturgical year on 11 November.