Why We Wear Halloween Costumes Today

Halloween costumes are nothing new and it is an age-old tradition during Halloween night. The tradition goes back to as long as the time when people used to wear elaborates dresses for Masquerade parties. This tradition can be traced back to the origins of Catholic Church. Initially, November 1 was celebrated as "All Hallows Day". The day highlighted, end of the harvesting period and starting of the winters.

Later, the Celtics started celebrating October 31 as Samhain or the Celtic New Year. Celtics also believed that this day signified the weakening of the spirit world. This supposedly, allows the entry of demons and spirits into the human world. Druids used to burn crops and sacrifice animals to pray for their safety and wore costumes to signify this day.

The Roman festival of Feralia and Pomona were then associated with Samhain. Feralia was celebrated as the day of remembrance for the dead. Pomona was the symbol of the apple.

Pope Boniface IV started celebrating November 1 as "All Saint's Day". This was marked by honoring martyrs. Samhain was believed to be the night before all saints day. Therefore, Samhain was renamed as "All-Hallowmas", later known as "Halloween".

The European immigrants started the tradition of Halloween. They began the tradition of wearing costumes and the concept of "trick or treat". The whole idea of Halloween as well as Halloween costumes have their emergence from the Celtic New Year when the seasons change and people pray for protection against spirits.

The Celtics take the day as the veil between our world and the "spirit world". Perhaps, that is the reason for Halloween costumes to be spooky and horrific. The advent of the Hollywood philosophies such as Count Dracula, Wolf man etc. gave a new essence to Halloween costumes. The Hollywood sparked inspiration to the costumes. This gave inspiration to the concept of vampires, witches and ghosts to be used as ideas for Halloween costumes.

Today, Halloween is more or less about costumes and a minor belief of spirits crossing our world. Many people celebrate Halloween for fun without knowing its actual meaning. People often see the costumes as well as the festival tied to various beliefs. However, there are people who think of it as a nice holiday to enjoy their time with family.

The grace of this festival associated with costumes, jack-o-lanterns and other traditions will remain for a many years to come.

Reference:
- The History of Halloween - AncientHistory

Article Resource: Leslie Bautista