A Jack o' Lantern made for the Holywell Manor Halloween celebrations in 2003. Photograph by Toby Ord on 31 Oct 2003.
Halloween, or All Hallows Eve, has been celebrated widely for centuries. Some of the same imagery and practices we associate with Halloween today have been around since the middle ages. Originally All Hallows Eve incorporated traditions from pagan harvest festivals and festivals honoring the dead. By the 12th Century, All Saints Day (as Halloween is also referred to) became a holy day of obligation across Europe. It was believed that the souls of the departed wandered the earth until All Saints Day and this was their last opportunity to take revenge on the living. To avoid recognition, Christians would wear costumes and masks to dupe the souls.
Another popular tradition that has taken on new forms over time was the custom of “souling”. Christians would bake bread or “soul cakes” in honor of all the christened souls. Throughout the middle ages, souling became the practice of the poor who would go from door to door accepting food in return for prayers for the dead. In England, Ireland and Scotland the practice became known as “guising”. Folks would dress up in costumes and visit homes in return for cakes, fruit or money. This is the most similar practice to what we refer to as “Trick or Treating”. “Trick or Treating” didn’t become a popular term until the 1930’s in the United States and Canada. Only briefly during World War II Trick or Treating was interrupted in the United States due to sugar rationing. Truly, a timeless holiday, Halloween has been celebrated by tradition.
Another tradition us New Yorker's hold dear is the New York City Annual Halloween Parade where you are bound to be surprised! Unfortunately, due to Storm Sandy's aftermath our parade has been cancelled with a possibility of rescheduling. We will be sure to post an update if the parade will have a rain date!
Another popular tradition that has taken on new forms over time was the custom of “souling”. Christians would bake bread or “soul cakes” in honor of all the christened souls. Throughout the middle ages, souling became the practice of the poor who would go from door to door accepting food in return for prayers for the dead. In England, Ireland and Scotland the practice became known as “guising”. Folks would dress up in costumes and visit homes in return for cakes, fruit or money. This is the most similar practice to what we refer to as “Trick or Treating”. “Trick or Treating” didn’t become a popular term until the 1930’s in the United States and Canada. Only briefly during World War II Trick or Treating was interrupted in the United States due to sugar rationing. Truly, a timeless holiday, Halloween has been celebrated by tradition.
Another tradition us New Yorker's hold dear is the New York City Annual Halloween Parade where you are bound to be surprised! Unfortunately, due to Storm Sandy's aftermath our parade has been cancelled with a possibility of rescheduling. We will be sure to post an update if the parade will have a rain date!
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