This October, as Halloween décor and pumpkins infiltrate the supermarkets, I realised that I had no idea why we celebrate. I don’t intend to go on an anti-consumerist tangent here; in fact, I propose that we just celebrate the day with a better understanding of the historical traditions behind it.
The celebration originates in the festival of Samhain, over two millennia ago. It marked the end of the harvest season and the start of the Celtic New Year. Hardly recognisable in the face of Halloween 2025, I must say.
Following the Roman takeover of Celtic lands, they merged the existing Samhain festival with their own. Feralia to remember the dead and Pomona to honour the goddess of fruit and greenery. This was rebranded by the Catholics as All Saints Day in the eight century, with the night before being All Hallows Eve. Crossing the Atlantic, Halloween was brought to America by Irish Immigrants. Traditions of ‘Ghost turnips,’ the historic pumpkin, and ‘guising,’ going from house to house in masks and costumes, were adopted.
Today more than 70 per cent of US citizens participate, spending $9.1 billion on candy and costumes. But how many of those 70 per cent understand why the day is what it is? The ‘consumerist show’ has certainly puppeted us along, drawing us into the materialist framework that is Halloween, trivialising the initial tradition behind the day.
I see it in university life. Edinburgh clubs know they can ramp up their prices for ‘Halloweek.’ And it works every time.
But the neon lights and Chappell Roan feel eerie on a night previously set up to remember the dead. A striking dichotomy between the city’s hedonism and the echoes of past lives.
So, for this year’s celebrations, maybe understanding Halloween’s ghostly past will make the hangover on 1 November feel a little more profound.
Photo by Ulia Makoveeva for The Student
Related
Halloweek: More than Silly Outfits and Pumpkins?
This October, as Halloween décor and pumpkins infiltrate the supermarkets, I realised that I had no idea why we celebrate. I don’t intend to go on an anti-consumerist tangent here; in fact, I propose that we just celebrate the day with a better understanding of the historical traditions behind it.
The celebration originates in the festival of Samhain, over two millennia ago. It marked the end of the harvest season and the start of the Celtic New Year. Hardly recognisable in the face of Halloween 2025, I must say.
Following the Roman takeover of Celtic lands, they merged the existing Samhain festival with their own. Feralia to remember the dead and Pomona to honour the goddess of fruit and greenery. This was rebranded by the Catholics as All Saints Day in the eight century, with the night before being All Hallows Eve. Crossing the Atlantic, Halloween was brought to America by Irish Immigrants. Traditions of ‘Ghost turnips,’ the historic pumpkin, and ‘guising,’ going from house to house in masks and costumes, were adopted.
Today more than 70 per cent of US citizens participate, spending $9.1 billion on candy and costumes. But how many of those 70 per cent understand why the day is what it is? The ‘consumerist show’ has certainly puppeted us along, drawing us into the materialist framework that is Halloween, trivialising the initial tradition behind the day.
I see it in university life. Edinburgh clubs know they can ramp up their prices for ‘Halloweek.’ And it works every time.
But the neon lights and Chappell Roan feel eerie on a night previously set up to remember the dead. A striking dichotomy between the city’s hedonism and the echoes of past lives.
So, for this year’s celebrations, maybe understanding Halloween’s ghostly past will make the hangover on 1 November feel a little more profound.
Photo by Ulia Makoveeva for The Student
Share this:
Like this:
Related