Originally, on the 31st of October, the traditional Celtics celebrated the renewal of the harvest, known as Samhain. This marked the constitutive period between the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter. It was also believed to be the one day a year where the portal between the mortal and the supernatural was at its weakest, leading to frightening notions of spirits.
Celtic traditions for this day included lighting bonfires to ward off supernatural beings and wearing masks and disguises to scare any unwanted visitors from the underworld. We can see these trends persisting in modern cultures through our beloved fancy dress.
In the 15th century, pumpkin carving became popular across Ireland. During times of famine, Irish migrants to the United States adapted this ritual using pumpkins, which gave us the traditional Jack O' Lantern.
As we reach a peak in globalization, so do Halloween celebrations. Currently in the UK, the estimated Halloween spending is projected to reach 776 million in 2024, highlighting the holiday's growing commercialization.
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