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Halloween takes place on 31 October. |
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It means the eve or evening before HALLOW.
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The word ‘HALLOW’ is an old English word for ‘saint’. |
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The next day, 1st November, is ALL SAINTS DAY, when people give
thanks for the life of saints.
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In 837 the name Halloween was changed to ALL HALLOWS EVE or ALL
SAINTS EVE. |
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The original reason for celebrating Halloween is not really known.
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Some people believed that ghosts and evil spirits walked the earth
on that day. |
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It may have been a special day to celebrate before winter began.
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Children took part because some people believed that the evil spirits
and ghosts could not be seen. Children dressed like them and played
their tricks for them. |
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Pumpkins stand for harvest time and the candles in them the sun.
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Apples and nuts, which can be picked at this time of year, are traditional
Halloween food. |
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These apples and nuts appear in several old children’s games,
such as catching apples hanging on a string or floating on water.
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A hundred years ago children used to visit people’s home to
scare them with lanterns made of turnips or swedes. The lanterns
were covered with people’s faces. |
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