Halloween and its Celtic Origins: Samhain (videos)

Halloween is a popular holiday celebrated in many countries around the world and dates back more than 3,000 years. Over this time, Halloween has shifted into the modern day customs and traditions currently experienced. What may be surprising for some is to learn about Halloween’s Celtic origins. To really understand the story behind Halloween, one must begin by looking at its Celtic roots, particularly in Ireland.

Halloween is associated with Celtic nations. There are six territories that are associated with the Celtic language or nations. These include Scotland, Ireland, Brittany, Cornwall, Wales and the Isle of Man. The Celts lived in areas that are modern-day France, the British Isles, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. They were a warrior type of people with a pagan-based religion. Their priests were known as Druids. The Celts original origins are unknown, but they were established well before Christianity. Many scholars trace their origins back to 800 BC and they were a strong, people by 600 BC. Celtic feasts, festivals and traditions were well established and practiced long before the invasion of the Roman Empire and conquest.

The Celts were a farming type of people and relied heavily upon nature and the elements for their livelihood and survival. Because of this, harvest was the most important time of the year and winter was most dreaded. During the dark, long winter months, food could be scarce and it was imperative that the Celts were successful in their farming methods and rewarded with a bountiful harvest to carry them through. During this time frame, the time between the end of harvest and the beginning of winter, the Celts would have their Druid priests pray for them. The most important date for this being Oct. 31. The future was uncertain and there would be many questions that needed answering. Of primary importance, was who would survive the winter seasons. The Celts believed that this seasonal change, the autumn equinox was the most important time for prayer. They believed that their prayers were more likely to be heard as the veil between the living and supernatural world was thin. They believed that the souls of their deceased ancestors could freely roam and walk amongst them on that night...the night between the last day of harvest and the first day of winter: Samhain.

Samhain, pronounced “sah-win” or “sow-in”,  was a time that the Celts recognized the transformation between harvest and the barren months of winter, it was the difference between plenty and lack, light and dark and was the most important time of the year. The Celts were a people who found magic in nature and the symbolism of the changing season was a magical time to them. They believed that their prayers would be heard, that they had a greater opportunity for successful divination during that period, and that the gods would hear their pleas for a successful winter. Not only could Samhain be a time of blessing, but it could be a time of cursing as well. Not only would good souls or spirits that died in the previous year have the ability to walk the earth, but also malevolent or evil spirits. Because of this belief that evil or spiteful spirits could walk and cause harm, the Celts had devised several methods used to calm, quiet or appease the spirits.

See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil

Some methods the Celts used to placate or pacify the evil spirits that could walk the earth on October 31, included bringing them gifts and offerings. The Celts would leave various treats for the spirits as gifts, hoping that in exchange, the spirits wouldn’t cause mischief or wreak havoc in their lives. The practice of “Trick or Treat” or “Trick or Treating” traces its roots to these Celtic origins.  

 In order to appease the gods of the harvest, blood sacrifices were offered. Animal sacrifices were made on large fires called bonfires. Blood sacrifices were used to show thanks for the harvest and in hopes to give something to the gods that would make them happy, thereby, rewarding the Celts with a short winter. The sacrifices also served another purpose: divination.

After an animal was offered, the Celts would read animal entrails as a form of divination. They believed they could predict the future and determine who would have a successful year, who would die, if the group should move to a different area. Oct. 31, was revered as the best day of the year for predicting the future, and many important decisions for the group was made on that day. As the Celtic priests, Druids, would give their prophecies, the predictions would be told from one Celt to another. It is believed that the practice of sharing ghost stories on Halloween, actually stems from the prophetic visions and utterances the Druids would reveal to the villagers. Even the act of dressing up to perform “tricks” seems to stem from Celtic beliefs that supernatural creatures would walk the earth on Halloween, or Samhain, causing mischief and pulling pranks.

The bonfires that the Celts would light are believed to have attracted bats. One can only imagine what these ancient people thought when amidst the orange glow of the fire against the night sky, the illumination of fluttering bats was clearly seen. Considering there was no electricity, it is quite likely the only time people saw bats were when they were attracted to the glow of firelight. This also makes it likely that every year, during Samhain, bats were visible around the fire. 

There are sources that say Celtswould wear animal heads during the animal sacrifice and bonfires. This is linked to the tradition of wearing masks or costumes. Additionally, many Celts would wear costumes and masks as a way of hiding their identity from evil spirits that were believed to be walking the earth on Oct. 31.  Also, history states that the Celts would bring a light of fire from the bonfire to their own home, and use the fire for protection. 

Modern Halloween practices draw from other cultures and customs including Rome, but there is no doubt that the majority of many Halloween customs stem directly from Celtic origins.

You may watch a short video regarding Halloween Origins below.