From harvest to horror: The roots of Halloween

Halloween wasn’t always about costumes and candy. Long before it became of night of playful fright, it was a seasonal celebration steeped in ritual, community and the supernatural.  

“You can really see continuities in ritual practice, from dressing up, to trickery and even house parties,” says history professor Megan Armstrong.   

With origins in the British Isles and ties to Christian observances, Armstrong says Halloween’s journey to North America reflects centuries of cultural transformation.  

Where do the origins of Halloween come from, and how did it evolve into the celebration we know today?

We can trace the practice of Halloween back to at least the 14th or 15th century in England, but its roots go even further. If we think of Halloween as a layered festival, like an archaeological dig, it has deep Celtic, pagan origins and likely began as a harvest celebration. 

It emerged from the British Isles, particularly the Celtic regions like Scotland, Ireland and Wales. It marked the end of the season of fruitfulness and the beginning of winter. October 31 was a transitional moment, symbolizing a shift from life and fertility to death – a reflection of the cycle of life.  

As Christianity spread through the British Isles, Halloween became infused with Christian meanings. From the 7th century onward, it became associated with All Saints Day (Nov. 1) and later All Souls Day (Nov. 2). These were more somber occasions introduced by the Church: All Saints Day was established by Pope Gregory IV to honor early Christian martyrs, and All Souls Day, added in the 10th century, was meant to commemorate all the dead. 

Halloween evolved alongside these Christian festivals, but it remained distinct. It was never truly a Christian holiday. It was more of a cultural one. 

How did Halloween become associated with magic, the supernatural and the occult?

By the 16th century in England, Halloween had come to occupy a space that blurred the boundaries between this world and the next. It wasn’t just a transition from life to death, but a time when the living and the dead could coexist and interact. That sense of ambiguity and possibility opened the door to magic and the supernatural.   

The Celtic festival most closely linked to it is Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter. People told stories of giants trampling fields, mischievous fairies (sídhe) and spirits roaming freely. It was a night of enchantment and risk where magic wasn’t just imagined but also felt. 

Halloween’s association with magic and the occult stems from this ancient belief that, for one night, the wall between worlds came down. People felt they could engage directly with forces beyond the natural world – both beautiful and terrifying. 

What role did death and mourning rituals in different historical eras play in shaping Halloween traditions?

As Christianity spread through Europe, Halloween began to absorb elements of mourning rituals. All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day were solemn occasions for reflecting on sacrifice, loss and the memory of the dead. These observances deepened Halloween’s connection to death, adding layers of contemplation to its already supernatural character. 

Yet Halloween remained distinct. It was still a night when the veil between worlds was believed to thin, allowing for encounters not just with spirits, but with deceased loved ones. This belief gave rise to vivid death imagery and symbolic rituals. 

One striking example is the danse macabre, or “dance of death,” which emerged in the 14th century amid the devastation of the Black Death. Entire villages were wiped out, and in response, people turned to ritualistic motifs to process grief. The danse macabre portrayed skeletons leading people to their graves, rich and poor alike, reminding everyone of death’s inevitability. In the face of such overwhelming loss, people turned to symbolic and even festive ways to process death.  

Elements like the Grim Reaper, trickery, and the idea of cosmic imbalance: “give this to me or I’ll harm you,” also emerged from this worldview. These traditions reflect a belief that the world is precarious and that rituals are needed to restore balance. ? 

Are there any historical figures or events that helped fuel vampire legends or other supernatural myths tied to Halloween?

Halloween has long been a space for the eerie and the unknown. Over time, figures like vampires, werewolves and other terrifying creatures became part of the celebration. These beings represent fear of the unknown, of death and of things that defy nature. Dressing up as them, whether it’s vampires, Frankenstein’s monster, or even modern horror icons like Jason, allows people to engage with those fears directly. 

This tradition of masking and costume has deep roots. Nighttime was historically seen as a time without rules, where anything could happen. Wearing a mask or costume might have been a way to protect oneself from the unknown, or to mock and diminish its power. It’s a form of catharsis – making the terrifying visible, and therefore less frightening. 

Vampires became more closely tied to Halloween in the 19th century, especially with the rise of Gothic literature. While Halloween wasn’t originally about vampires, the holiday absorbed these fantastical figures as each generation brought its own fears and stories into the mix. Halloween becomes a kind of mirror reflecting the fears, fantasies and emotional landscapes of each era.  

How have different cultures historically marked the transition from fall to winter, and how does that connect to Halloween?

In many cultures, the shift from fall to winter was a significant moment both practically and symbolically. For small rural communities, especially in places like England, Ireland and Scotland, survival depended on cooperation. People relied on each other for labour, food, and emotional support. Festivals marking this seasonal transition weren’t just about ritual, they were essential for reinforcing community bonds. 

Christianity, as it spread, often absorbed existing seasonal festivals, recognizing their social importance. These gatherings helped strengthen ties to the Church while also serving a practical purpose: preparing communities for the hardships of winter. Supplies were gathered and spirits were lifted through celebration. 

Emotionally, these festivals helped people cope with loss and uncertainty. Winter was a time of death not just of crops, but often of people. Halloween, with its themes of death and the supernatural, became a way to acknowledge that reality. It was a moment to reflect, but also to revel. Accounts describe “rough music” – raucous, discordant bellringing and singing, often in contrast to the solemnity of church music. People got drunk, sang loudly and processed through villages. Disorder was part of the ritual. 

What about some of the other traditions we see today – carving pumpkins and treat-giving?

Carving lanterns has long been practiced but it didn’t start with pumpkins. In the 16th century, people in the British Isles carved turnips, choosing them for their naturally gnarled, face-like appearance. These early lanterns resembled decaying heads and were likely meant to ward off spirits or embody them. 

Treat-giving also has roots in older customs. In England, souling was practiced on All Souls’ Day, where people received soul cakes in exchange for prayers for the dead. Shakespeare even mentions it in the 1580s. Similar traditions exist in Italy and Mexico, where pastries are shaped like skeletons or skulls for the Day of the Dead. 

These treats were symbolic and tied to remembrance and ritual. Over time, they became part of Halloween’s festive culture. So, when we hand out candy today, we’re continuing a centuries-old tradition of marking death with food and community.