“Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat,” yells the typical child on the night of October 31st, Halloween. Halloween is now a day where children dress up in costumes, roam around neighborhoods, and ask strangers for candy. As of today Halloween is an over commercialized campaign, set to get people to buy into what America views as Halloween. Social and cultural expressions have changed over the years from traditional life and death celebrations to a modernized era of Halloween. By looking at the history behind Halloween through Celtic, Mexican, and Wiccan cultures, one can see how Halloween is now a way for the media to help producers make money off of the consumer society.
One place Halloween originated is with the Celtic people. This ancient Celtic festival is known as Samhain. This holiday takes place October 31st at sunset to November 1st at sunset. The Celtic people were superstitious about an “in between” or purgatory from the living to the dead. They would light bonfires in order to keep the “evil” spirits away. Just like today people believed that the dead would walk among the living. In winter, the Celtic people believed it was the season of ghosts and during Samhain there was a release from the Underworld. …show more content…
This celebration began in Latin America with a strong influence in Mexico. Just like Samhain, this holiday honored the dead with festivals and celebrations. “Dia de los Muertos recognizes death as a natural part of the human experience, a continuum with birth, childhood, and growing up to becoming a contributing member of the community, awakened from their eternal sleep to share celebrations with their loved ones” (Society 2012) Some symbols that have been created for this holiday are sugar skulls. The sugar skulls are made to convey honor towards loved ones. Historically the day of the dead has led to lifelong traditions in today’s
One place Halloween originated is with the Celtic people. This ancient Celtic festival is known as Samhain. This holiday takes place October 31st at sunset to November 1st at sunset. The Celtic people were superstitious about an “in between” or purgatory from the living to the dead. They would light bonfires in order to keep the “evil” spirits away. Just like today people believed that the dead would walk among the living. In winter, the Celtic people believed it was the season of ghosts and during Samhain there was a release from the Underworld. …show more content…
This celebration began in Latin America with a strong influence in Mexico. Just like Samhain, this holiday honored the dead with festivals and celebrations. “Dia de los Muertos recognizes death as a natural part of the human experience, a continuum with birth, childhood, and growing up to becoming a contributing member of the community, awakened from their eternal sleep to share celebrations with their loved ones” (Society 2012) Some symbols that have been created for this holiday are sugar skulls. The sugar skulls are made to convey honor towards loved ones. Historically the day of the dead has led to lifelong traditions in today’s