Saturday, October 21, 2017

How Celtic traditions lead to Halloween costumes today


It's almost time for some strange looking adults and children to venture out into the world! Some of the uniquely costumed smaller ones may even knock on your door. Halloween costume creations are often limited only by imagination. After all, inspiration is everywhere!

So, why do people dress up for Halloween?

During the first ten years, B.C., October 31st was the last day of the Celtic calendar. That was their annual Samhain ("summer's end") festival to celebrate the end of the harvest season and winter's start on November 1st. It was also a time to honor the dead.

The Celtics believed souls were freed to roam the earth at the end of their calendar year. During the festival, they wore masks to disguise themselves from spirits with evil intentions. Some believed that if they looked dead, the spirits would consider them one of dead and leave them alone.

As Romans took over the lands, Feralia, a Roman holiday to remember and commemorate their dead, blended with the Celtic Samhain festival.

Many Halloween customs and traditions arrived in North America along with immigrants in the 1800s, and since then the holiday has evolved to include new traditions like pumpkin carving.
Today Halloween is more about having fun than honoring past lives. From young to old, people dress up in whimsical, scary, and iconic costumes and gather to have a good time with friends.

Your Flooring Consultant,

Matt Capell
Email: sales@capellinteriors.com
Phone (208) 288-0151
Fax (208) 917-6160


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