English Language Institute

Halloween

 Three ELI Students smiling and wearing costumes in front of a "Happy Halloween" sign.

While many people believe that Halloween began as a Christian holiday, some historians say that Halloween traditions in the U.S. actually began in other religions and cultures. Wikipedia explains that Halloween originally comes from the Celts (a diverse tribe of people that once covered much of what is now Europe but which is typically associated with Ireland, Scotland and the surrounding areas). The Celts had a Fall festival to celebrate their Fall harvest. In addition, as part of their religion they believed that on October 31, the boundary between the living and the dead disappeared and that evil spirits could come back to earth and cause problems. They would wear costumes and masks to try to look like the evil spirits so that the evil spirits would not harm them. 

The carved pumpkin, or jack-o-lantern, is probably the most recognizable symbol of Halloween. This, too, came from the Celts. The Celts believed that the head was the most powerful part of the body because it contained the spirit and knowledge. For this reason, they used the “head” of root vegetables (such as turnips and rutabagas) to frighten off evil spirits. Long after the Celts, these Fall traditions were brought to what is now the US. Since pumpkins were more readily available here, the early settlers used pumpkins instead of other vegetables. 

ELI Students in the process of carving pumpkins.

But why is  this holiday called “Halloween?” And why is this carved pumpkin called a “jack-o-lantern?” The tradition of the Celtic Fall Festival also coincided with a Catholic holiday called “All Saints’ Day” or “All Hallows’ Day” on November 1. The day before “All Hallows’ Day” (October 31) was called “All Hallows’ Even.” This was an abbreviation for “All Hallows’ Evening” and “All Hallows Eve” referring to the night before All Hallows’ Day. Eventually “All Hallows’ Even” became shortened to “Halloween.” It wasn’t until the 19th century, however, when Irish immigrants began to bring their Halloween traditions to the US and adapt them to American culture that it became popular here. In fact, it wasn’t even listed as a holiday in the US until the 20th century. For such a simple and fun holiday, its origins are very complex!

Calling carved pumpkins “jack-o-lanterns” can be traced back to a Gaelic legend called “Stingy Jack.” Jack was a greedy, gambling man who drank a lot. One day he tricked the devil into climbing a tree. Then, by carving a cross on the tree he trapped the devil there. For revenge, the devil cursed Jack to roam the streets of the world at night with the only light he had in his hand –a turnip with a small candle in it. Since pumpkins are more abundant in the US, the early settlers used pumpkins instead of turnips. That’s where the term “jack-o-lantern” comes from.