The History Behind Halloween — Ligonier Valley Historical Society

The folklore and history behind many of our favorite holidays are often forgotten. To better understand this exciting time of year, Ligonier Valley Historical Society will explore some of the stories and myths behind Halloween.

"In the period leading up to the Great Depression, Halloween had become a time when young men could blow off steam—and cause mischief. Sometimes they went too far. In 1933, parents were outraged when hundreds of teenage boys flipped over cars, sawed-off telephone poles and engaged in other acts of vandalism across the country. People began to refer to that year's holiday as 'Black Halloween,' similarly to the way they referred to the stock market crash four years earlier as 'Black Tuesday.' Rather than banning the holiday, as some demanded, many communities began organizing Halloween activities—and haunted houses—to keep restless would-be pranksters occupied."[1]

Pagan Origins of Halloween

Historians believe that the earliest "Halloween" type festival took place in Ireland and the other Celtic-speaking countries. The Celtic festival of Samhain was celebrated from October 31st to November 1st. Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter or the “dark half” of the year. People believed that this transition period happened when the boundary between this world and the other worlds thinned. Because of this thinning, it is commonly believed that spirits and fairies could more easily come to this world and actively participate. The Celtic spirits and fairies were both feared and respected. Offerings of food, drink, and crops were often left out as a sacrifice to these spirits so that they might survive the winter. Celtics also believed that the souls of the dead revisited their homes seeking hospitality. The belief that the souls of the dead returned home on one night of the year and must be appeased seems to have ancient origins and can be seen in many cultures worldwide. In 19th century Ireland, candles would be lit, and prayer would be formally offered for the souls of the dead. After this, the eating, drinking, and games would begin.

Samhain offering to the spirits. Photo from History.com. [10]

Christian Influence

Halloween is the evening before the Christian holy days of All Hallows' Day (November 1st) and All Soul's Day (November 2nd). This gives October 31st the full name of All Hallows' Eve. Major feasts in Christianity have always occurred the night before the holiday, examples being Christmas Eve. Because of this, All Hallows' Eve was incorporated. These three days are collectively called 'Allhallowtide' and are the time for honoring the saints and praying for recently departed souls who have not yet reached heaven.[2]

In 835 CE, All Hallows' Day was officially switched to November 1st, the same day as Samhain, by Pope Gregory IV. It is believed that the Christian church moved the date to match with the Celtic holiday to promote Christianity more easily in previously pagan areas. Creating matching holidays between the church and outside groups can be seen multiple times in Christianity.[3]

By the end of the 12th century, these three days became holy days of obligation across Europe and included ringing church bells for the souls of those in purgatory. It was also customary for criers dressed in black to parade the streets, ringing mourning bells and calling on all good Christians to remember the poor souls. "Souling," the custom of baking and sharing soul cakes for all Christian souls, began in this period as well. Groups of poor people, often children, would go door to door during Allhallowtide, collecting soul cakes in exchange for praying for the dead, especially the souls of the givers' family and friends.

All Saints Day, a shift from offerings to prayer. Photo from AmericanMagazine [11]

This tradition of “souling” is the origin of modern trick or treat. Poor children would go door to door, asking for baked goods in exchange for prayer. This parallels modern trick or treating in many ways. The expression “Trick or Treat” has a darker meaning as well. Trick refers to a threat, usually idle, to perform mischief on the homeowners or property if no treat is delivered.[4]

The holiday of Halloween then moved from Europe with the expansion of European exploration and colonization. Christianity moved with these early Europeans and helped to influence the holiday as we know it today.

Stingy Jack and the Jack-o-lantern

As the story goes, several centuries ago in Ireland, there lived a drunkard known as "Stingy Jack." Jack was known throughout the land as a deceiver or manipulator. On a fateful night, Satan overheard the tale of Jack's evil deeds and silver tongue. Unconvinced (and envious) of the rumors, the devil went to find out for himself whether Jack lived up to his vile reputation.

Jack was stumbling through the countryside when he came upon an eerie grimace-faced man who turned out to be Satan. Jack quickly realized this would be his end. So, Jack made a last request. He asked Satan to let him drink ale one last time before they departed to hell. Satan saw no reason to oppose and took Jack to the local pub where he supplied alcohol. Once Jack had his fill, he asked Satan to pay the tab on the ale. Jack convinced Satan to metamorphose into a silver coin with which to pay the bartender. Satan did so, impressed with Jack's unyielding tactics and silver tongue. Jack then placed the silver coin (Satan) in his pocket next to a crucifix. The crucifix kept Satan from escaping his form, trapping him. Jack agreed to release him in exchange for ten more years with his soul.

Jack-o’-lanterns protecting Compass Inn Museum from Stingy Jack

Ten years later, Satan found Jack again stumbling through the countryside. Jack accepted his fate and prepared to go to hell. However, Jack asked Satan if he could eat an apple from a nearby tree before they departed. Satan agreed and quickly scaled the limbs to retrieve an apple. Jack then surrounded the tree's base with crucifixes carved into the bark, trapping the devil once again. Jack stated that he would release Satan if he promised never to take his soul to hell. Having no choice, Satan agreed and was set free.

Eventually, the years of drinking caught up to Jack, and he died. Jack's soul prepared to enter heaven through the gates of St. Peter but was stopped by God because of his sinful lifestyle. Jack then went down to the gates of hell and begged for admission into the underworld. Satan fulfilled his obligation to Jack and refused to take his soul. Satan gave Jack an ember to light his way. Jack is doomed to roam the world between the planes of good and evil, with only an ember inside a hollow turnip to light his way.[5]

In Ireland and Scotland, people began to make their versions of Jack's lanterns by carving scary faces into turnips and potatoes and placing them in windows or near doors to frighten away Stingy Jack and other wandering spirits. Immigrants from these countries brought the jack-o'-lantern tradition with them when they came to the United States. They soon found that pumpkins, a fruit native to America, make the perfect jack-o'-lanterns.[6] This tradition has continued as many people still believe that Halloween and the changing of the seasons allow spirits to wander the earth. Understanding why we put out jack-o'-lanterns only adds to the fun of the season and Compass Inn Museum's 6th Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest.

Ghost Stories

A ghost is the soul of a dead person or animal that can appear to the living. In ghostlore, descriptions of ghosts vary widely from an invisible presence to translucent or barely visible wispy shapes or realistic lifelike forms. Ghosts are most commonly associated with the spirit of a human being that has not yet passed over into heaven or hell. The soul is either trapped on earth or stayed for a purpose.[7]

The earliest reports of ghosts date back to Mesopotamian religions in the year 3100 BCE with the creation of written history. Ancient Egyptian culture had a widespread belief in spirits and took many steps, such as the pyramids, to help guide and shepherd souls to the afterlife, away from earth. The most notable reference to ghosts in Christianity is in the First Book of Samuel (Samuel 28: 3-19), in which King Saul has the Witch of Endor summon the spirit or ghost of the prophet Samuel.

Ghosts also appear in classical literature, such as Homer's Odyssey and The Iliad. Roman author and statesman Pliny the Young recorded one of the first notable ghost stories in his letter, which became famous for their vivid accounts of life during the peak of the Roman Empire. More modern literature has also depicted ghosts. Edgar Allen Poe and Stephen King are well known for their work regarding ghosts and scary stories. Human spirits that are trapped on earth have been a tale as old as time itself.[8]

There are many famous Americans that are said to have been seen as ghosts. In the late 19th century, Benjamin Franklin's ghost was seen near the library of the American Philosophical Society. Some reports claim that the Ben Franklin statue in front of the society came to life and started dancing in the streets. Additionally, the White House is notorious for ghost stories. No political figure has made so frequent an appearance as the ghost of Abraham Lincoln, who was assassinated in April 1865. The Administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt reported seeing Lincoln's ghost or feeling his presence repeatedly while they guided the country through a time of great upheaval and war.[9]

Historic places are often the site of ghost encounters. Locations of horrible military battles often report seeing ghosts. The battlefield at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, which took place during the Civil War, is infamous for these such stories. Old prisons and places of great torment are often prime locations for ghosts because it is believed that the souls of these people have unfinished business. Ghost stories also occur locally. Tales of the woman in white are repeatedly told in Laughlintown. This ghost is often seen late at night when people are driving through town. Supernatural investigators have also identified Compass Inn Museum as a location of hauntings. Whether or not you believe in ghost stories is irrelevant. These stories have been around since the beginning of written history and will continue.

If you have the courage to learn more about ghosts at Compass Inn Museum, join us for our Halloween Hauntings Storytelling that will take place October 29 to 31 from 6-9 pm.

Additional Reading:

[1] History.com Editors. “9 Creepy Halloween Tales & Traditions.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, October 30, 2019. https://www.history.com/news/halloween-facts-traditions-legends.

[2] “Halloween.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, October 2, 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween.

[3] History.com Editors. “Halloween 2021.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, November 18, 2009. https://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-halloween.

[4] History.com Editors. “How Trick-or-Treating Became a Halloween Tradition.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, October 3, 2019. https://www.history.com/news/halloween-trick-or-treating-origins.

[5] “Stingy Jack.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, October 3, 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stingy_Jack.

[6] History.com Editors. “How Jack O'Lanterns Originated in Irish Myth.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, October 25, 2019. https://www.history.com/news/history-of-the-jack-o-lantern-irish-origins.

[7] “Ghost.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, September 23, 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost.

[8] “Ghost Story.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, September 10, 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_story.

[9] History.com Editors. “History of Ghost Stories.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, October 29, 2009. https://www.history.com/topics/halloween/historical-ghost-stories.

[10] History.com Editors. “Samhain.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, April 6, 2018. https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/samhain.

[11] Klein, Terrance. “All Saints Day Is Not Lesser Saints Day.” America Magazine, November 15, 2017. https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2017/10/31/all-saints-day-not-lesser-saints-day.