Halloween also known as ‘All Hallows Eve’ is a holiday to honor the souls of the dead who are said to roam the earth before they transition to the afterlife. The popular event held on 31st October resembles what many other cultures around the world practice. Celebrations like Samhein, Dia de Los Muertos among many others are held in honor the dead.
Why anyone will refer to Halloween as the devil’s holiday can be traced to a royal degree passed by King Frederick III of Denmark. However, it does not give answers for the misconception. While many are against the observation of the day, Halloween is not only observed by followers of a certain religion, and like in other parts of the world, it is a celebration of the dead.
Some of the arguments about the day being a worship of the devil have raised the question of its being the devil’s birthday. Halloween is widely observed in the US, Russia, Japan, Philippines, and many other countries of the world but is it true that Halloween is the Devil’s Birthday?
How Did Halloween Begin?
Coming across kids treat or tricking in their scary costumes raises curious questions as to why this came about. Halloween has roots in a lot of pagan practices even though it is a celebration in remembrance of the dead.
The word Halloween is a shorter form of All Saints Eve which is a celebration of saints of the Church who were persecuted. Over the years, the celebration has taken different forms and is non-denominational, yet many see it as the Devil’s birthday due to it unbiblical practice and its links with pagan traditions.
While the Church’s All Saints Day is on November 1st, Halloween is the Eve and it falls on the last day of October(31st).
Halloween Facts That Shows It Is Not The Devils Birthday
1. It Is of Christian Origin
The term Halloween means Saints Evening which can be traced to Scottish origins. Its origin refers to the eve of All Saints which is a celebration of honored saints of the church on November 1st.
Halloween has strong roots in the catholic religion as prayers were said for the dead. The Catholic Church made November 1st, All Saints Day, and November 2nd, All Souls Day. The two are all celebrations held in honor of the dead.
2. Calling Halloween the Devils Birthday Is A Misconception
Over time, the celebration of the saints that are dead became mixed with other cultures as it spread in different parts of the world. Many came to regard it as Halloween. Over time celebrations that closely resemble Hallows Eve influenced what is now known as Halloween.
The Roman Parentalia, Celtic Samhain, and Kalan Gwav are some of the roots of the misconception that links Halloween to the Devil’s birthday. Parentalia is a Roman feast in honor of lost family members. During Parentalia, families offer food at cemeteries in honor of the dead.
The Samhain among the Celts gives a good explanation as to how Halloween is misconceived today. The Celts believe that during Samhain, death cross over into the world of the living and this laid the basis for how Halloween is now celebrated. The Celtic Samhain is the closest root of the Halloween celebration.
3. The Wearing of Halloween Costumes is to Confuse the Spirits that Roam on Halloween
Over the years, many costumes are used for those partaking in the celebrations. Halloween costumes which can be scary or downright funny is a big part of the celebration. In the past, people made homemade costumes also called Do It Yourself but in recent times, this has become a million-dollar industry.
Costumes used during Halloween have nothing to do with celebrating the Devils Birthday. In fact, since the veil between the living and the dead is very thin during Halloween, spirits freely roam among the living. People are said to wear costumes to confuse these spirits from recognizing them.
Earlier costumes were not always so scary until some decided to add the element of scaring neighbors by wearing scary costumes. In recent times, Halloween costumes are commercialized and influenced by pop culture like favorite movie characters.
4. Halloween Colors have nothing to Do with Devil Worship
The main colors of Halloween are orange and black. Many people that frown against the celebration have linked the two colors to symbols of the devil. Interestingly, the two colors have different significance.
Orange signifies the period between fall and winter that the day represents. Orange likely also represents the fall of leaves at the end of the year while black is for the cold dark and a long winter ahead. Black is also symbolized as the color of death and this temporarily stands for the open doors of communication between the dead and living.
A third Halloween color, purple is less known as it is a late addition to the color scheme. Purple is likely added by costume makers to sell more products. Other Halloween colors include red, white, green and teal which mostly adds to the décor.
5. The US Holds the Biggest Halloween Celebrations
Looking at the huge crowd that gather in the cities of America for Halloween, how can it be said to be a celebration of the Devils birth. Halloween did not originate in the US but it was passed across by migrants from other parts of the world.
The American touches makes it one of the most elaborate celebrations even outside the Celtic area that it originated. Many candies and admiration of decorations have taken over Halloween.
There are Many Other Festivals that are Held in Honor of the Dead
The festivals held in honor of the dead whether the relatives or not are held in many cultures of the world. Can it be said that the devil’s birthday is celebrated differently? Here are some popular festivals held in honor of the dead;
- Samhein
- Dia De Los Muertos, Mexico
- Awuru Odo festival, Igbos of Nigeria
- Hindu Pitru Paksha
- Day of Dracula, Romania
- Hungry Ghost festival, East Asia
- Gai Jatra and Tihar, Nepal
