Pre - Halloween
The 3-day ancient, pagan Celtic festival credited as the origin of Halloween
Samhain (SAW-win)
What is the oldest Christian feast day and when was it first observed?
All Saints' Day in the fourth century
What is the significance of All Souls' Day?
To pray for the devoted deceased and the souls trapped in purgatory in hopes they will be admitted into heaven.
The place Dia de los Muertos originated
The Indigenous traditions, specifically the Aztecs, of ancient Mesoamerica which is now Mexico and Central America - over 3,000 years ago.
What are the word parts and meaning of the word 'Halloween'?
Hallowed (holy) Eve
Saints' Eve
What does the name of the 3-day ancient pagan Celtic festival mean?
Summer's End
Two terms associated with All Saints' Day
Feast of All Saints and All Hallows' Day
What is the trilogy of events called - Halloween, All Saints' Day, and All Souls' Day
Allhallowtide, also known as Hallowtide or Hallowmas. The word "hallow" means saint or holy, and "mas" means mass.
Summarize the ancient ritual that celebrated the dead.
A month-long ritual called Miccaihuitl to honor the dead. The Aztecs believed that the dead were still connected to the living, and they made offerings to the deceased and to the goddess Miccaihuitl, who they believed watched over the bones of the dead. Upon dying, a person was believed to travel to Chicunamictlán, the Land of the Dead, after completing nine challenging levels, which could take years. Only then could the person’s soul finally reach Mictlán, the final resting place.
Halloween is a shortened version of what?
The night before All Hallows' Day (the original name for All Saints' Day, November 1st) is called 'All Hallows Even' or 'All Hallows' Eve' (Catholic term). 'All Hallows' Even' was shortened to 'Hallow-e'en' by the Scottish in 1773. It eventually evolved to Halloween.
What did the 3-day pagan Celtic festival celebrate?
The end of harvest and the beginning of winter. It starts a new year on the Celtic calendar.
What is the significance of All Saints' Day?
It's a 'feast' day to honor all the saints and martyrs known and unknown. It's to commemorate that the saints can intercede for those on earth. A time to reflect on what the saints/martyrs stood for and their impact.
An offshoot of the Catholic version of All Souls' Day
What is the cultural significance of Dia de los Muertos?
It's a celebration of death as a natural part of life by the Latin people or Latino population. It's life-affirming filled with music, dance, feasting, and remembrance of the deceased. continuation of life. It's a blend of indigenous beliefs of death being a continuation of life with the influence of the Catholic church, coinciding with All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.
Who brought 'Halloween' to the states?
Irish and Scottish immigrants. Though this is the case, the rest of Europe didn’t begin celebrating the holiday until decades later, and it's not as big there as it is here.
What was the significance of lighting bonfires during the Celtic pagan festival?
to ward off evil spirits and provide a protective barrier for the community
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These fires were believed to have cleansing and protective powers. They warded off evil spirits. People would extinguish their household fires and relight them from the communal bonfire, symbolizing unity and the start of a new year.
What are three activities one might engage in on All Saints' Day?
Going to church, reading about the saints, feasting in honor of the saints, reflecting on personal values in relation to the saints, and the impact the saints made in the world.
Name three traditions or activities associated with All Souls' Day that are similar to Dia de los Muertos
Visiting gravesites and cleaning and decorating them. Lighting candles. Attending mass. Leaving food out for the deceased. Setting up and decorating alters.
When the Spanish arrived in the Americas, they brought Catholicism with them and moved the holiday to coincide with All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day on November 1 and 2. This blended Indigenous traditions with Catholic practices and ideas about the afterlife.
How did the custom of pumpkin carving come about on Halloween?
Initially, the Irish and Scottish carved turnips as a way to remember deceased souls. When they immigrated to the U.S., they realized that pumpkins were much easier to carve
What is the significance of dressing in animal skins during the pagan Celtic festival?
Disguise: Wearing animal skins and masks helped disguise individuals from malevolent spirits that were believed to roam the earth during this time when the veil between the living and the dead was thinnest.
Ritual Significance: The costumes were also part of rituals to honor and connect with animal spirits, which were considered powerful and protective.
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What three significant symbols are associated with All Saints' Day?
White: the liturgical color for All Saints' Day and water
Sheaf of Wheat - trees and saplings
Image of Saints and Martyrs - Crown
Alters, Candles, Flowers (marigolds)
Giving of oneself to a cause: money, food, services, or donating time to a charitable cause
Almsgiving
The main imagery of the Day of the Dead which was created by the Mexican printmaker José Guadalupe Posada
Calvera - The Skeleton
The significance of Halloween
Originally, a time to fast and remember the martyrs, saints, and the devoted deceased. Overall, it symbolizes the transition from life to death, the change of seasons, and the human fascination with the supernatural and the unknown.
When did the ancient, pagan Celtic festival become influenced by the Catholic church?
Samhain became All Hallows Eve in the 8th century when Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as All Saints' Day and October 31st as All Hallows' Eve.
When was All Saints' Day first observed and what changes were made in the 8th century?
It was originally celebrated in May, but was moved to November 1st by Pope Gregory III in the 8th century.
Four symbols associated with Dia de los Muertos
ofrendas
calveras - sugar skulls
pan de muerto
monarch butterfly
marigolds
What is the meaning behind the colors black and orange at Halloween time?
According to the Library of Congress, black and orange are the colors of Halloween because the ancient Celts believed black symbolized the “death” of summer and orange symbolized the fall harvest.
How is Samhain similar to All Saints' Day, All Souls' Day, and Dia de los Muertos.
All three have a belief that the dead can wander the Earth during this time and interact with the living.
Latin words Manus Dia - a significant symbol of All Saints' Day
Manus Dei (the hand of God)
A tradition where poor people would go door-to-door asking for soul cakes in exchange for prayers for the deceased.
Jeopardy: What could this be likened to in the Mexican/Latin Day of the Dead observance?
'Souling'
pan de muertos
The main belief fueling the celebration of the Day of the Dead.
The border between the spirit world and the real world dissolves, and the souls of the dead awaken and return to the living world to feast, drink, dance and play music with their loved ones. In turn, the living family members treat the deceased as honored guests in their celebrations, and leave the deceased’s favorite foods and other offerings at gravesites or on the ofrendas built in their homes.
Samhainophobia
Samhainophobia is the fear of Halloween. People with this phobia feel anxious when they think about or experience anything to do with Halloween.