Halloween, traditionally known as All Hallows' Eve, has a fascinating history that dates back centuries. It originated from ancient Celtic celebrations and has evolved into a widely celebrated holiday known for costumes, parties, and trick-or-treating. The origins of Halloween can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the dark winter months. This festival was believed to be a time when the boundaries between the physical and spiritual worlds were the weakest, allowing spirits to roam the earth. During Samhain, the Celts would dress in costumes and light bonfires to ward off evil spirits. They also believed that the spirits of their ancestors would visit during this time and would set places at the dinner table for them.
They also believed that the spirits of their ancestors would visit during this time and would set places at the dinner table for them. This practice of honoring the dead is believed to have influenced the modern tradition of leaving food and treats for "trick-or-treaters." When the Romans conquered the Celtic lands, they introduced their own festivals and traditions, including Feralia, a day in late October when they commemorated the passing of the dead.
Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night
B&W photos and illustrations throughout. The author traces Halloween as it emerged from the Celtic festival of Samhain (summer's end), picked up elements of the Christian Hallowtide, arrived in North America as an Irish and Scottish festival, and evolved into an unofficial but large-scale holiday by the early 20th century. He shows how Halloween remains, at its core, a night of inversion, when social norms are turned upside down, and a temporary freedom of expression reigns supreme. Wear at edges, stickers on back cover, reading creases, rubbed, 3 black lines on bottom endpages. Size: 5 " x 8". Seller Inventory # 010464
Title: Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night
Publisher: Oxford University Press, New York, NY
Publication Date: 2002
Binding: Soft Cover
Condition: Very Good Minus
Edition: First Trade Paperback
Book Type: TRADE PAPERBACK
About this title
Synopsis:Boasting a rich, complex history rooted in Celtic and Christian ritual, Halloween has evolved from ethnic celebration to a blend of street festival, fright night, and vast commercial enterprise. In this colorful history, Nicholas Rogers takes a lively, entertaining look at the cultural origins and development of one of the most popular holidays of the year.
Drawing on a fascinating array of sources, from classical history to Hollywood films, Rogers traces Halloween as it emerged from the Celtic festival of Samhain (summer's end), picked up elements of the Christian Hallowtide (All Saint's Day and All Soul's Day), arrived in North America as an Irish and Scottish festival, and evolved into an unofficial but large-scale holiday by the early 20th century. He examines the 1970s and '80s phenomena of Halloween sadism (razor blades in apples) and inner-city violence (arson in Detroit), as well as the immense influence of the horror film genre on the reinvention of Halloween as a terror-fest. Throughout his vivid account, Rogers shows how Halloween remains, at its core, a night of inversion, when social norms are turned upside down, and a temporary freedom of expression reigns supreme. He examines how this very license has prompted censure by the religious Right, occasional outrage from law enforcement officials, and appropriation by Left-leaning political groups.
Engagingly written and based on extensive research, Halloween is the definitive history of the most bewitching day of the year, illuminating the intricate history and shifting cultural forces behind this enduring trick-or-treat holiday.
Nicholas Rogers is Professor of History at York University. He is the co-author of Eighteenth-Century English Society: Shuttles and Swords (OUP) and the author of Crowds, Culture, and Politics in Georgian Britain (OUP), for which he received the 1999 Wallace K. Ferguson Prize of the Canadian Historical Association for the best book on non-Canadian history.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Binding: Soft Cover
Over time, the Celtic and Roman traditions merged, creating a new celebration that combined elements of both cultures. In the 9th century, the Catholic Church designated November 1st as All Saints' Day, a day to honor all saints and martyrs. The evening before, October 31st, became known as All Hallows' Eve, eventually becoming Halloween. The Church incorporated some elements of the Celtic and Roman traditions into the new holiday, such as bonfires and dressing up in costumes. As Christianity spread throughout Europe, Halloween became more widely celebrated. However, it wasn't until the 19th century that Halloween made its way to the United States. Irish and Scottish immigrants brought their Halloween customs with them, and the holiday began to take on a more community-centered and merry spirit. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Halloween evolved into a night of community parties and parades. It became an occasion for people to come together, play games, and enjoy themselves. The modern tradition of trick-or-treating also emerged during this time, with children going door-to-door in their neighborhoods to collect treats. Today, Halloween is celebrated worldwide and has become a beloved holiday for people of all ages. It is a time for creativity and self-expression, with elaborate costumes and decorations adorning homes and streets. Halloween parties and events bring people together in a spirit of fun and celebration. In conclusion, Halloween has come a long way from its pagan origins as a festival of the dead. It has transformed into a night of merriment and revelry, bringing communities and cultures together. Whether you embrace the spooky or simply enjoy the festivities, Halloween continues to captivate and enchant audiences around the globe..
Reviews for "Halloween: A Mixture of Religious Beliefs and Superstitions"
1. John - 2 stars - This book was a huge disappointment for me. I was expecting a thorough analysis and historical background of Halloween, but instead, I found it to be more of a shallow overview of the holiday. The author barely scratched the surface and only provided a basic explanation of the pagan origins and modern-day traditions associated with Halloween. I was hoping for more in-depth research and information, but it felt like I was reading a booklet rather than a comprehensive book.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I found "Halloween from pagan ritual to party night" to be incredibly dull and uninteresting. The writing style was dry and lacked any excitement or engagement. It felt more like a textbook than an entertaining read. While the book did touch on the historical aspects of Halloween and its pagan origins, it failed to capture my attention or make the topic come alive. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an enjoyable and informative Halloween read.
3. Michael - 2 stars - As an avid reader and enthusiast of all things Halloween, I was truly disappointed with this book. It lacked depth and failed to provide any real insights into the origins and evolution of the holiday. The author's research seemed lacking and at times, the information provided felt inaccurate or oversimplified. I was hoping for a more scholarly approach to the subject matter, but unfortunately, this book fell short of my expectations. I would not recommend it to anyone seeking a thorough examination of Halloween's history.