As the leaves turn colors and the air cools, Halloween arrives each year with all the familiar sights and sounds: carved pumpkins, spooky costumes, and candy-filled streets. For many, it’s a fun time for dressing up and celebrating, but there’s a persistent claim that Halloween is rooted in ancient paganism. The truth, however, is that Halloween’s origins are not found in pagan festivals but rather in Christian history.
All Hallows’ Eve: A Christian Tradition
The name “Halloween” itself reveals its Christian roots. It’s a contraction of “All Hallows’ Eve,” the night before All Saints’ Day (also known as All Hallows’ Day), a Christian holiday dedicated to honoring the saints who have gone before us. All Saints’ Day is celebrated on November 1st, and All Hallows’ Eve on October 31st serves as a time of preparation and reflection.
(And yes, that means we’re talking about the Catholic church. Let’s not forget that for over 1,000 years, the majority of Christians in the West were Catholic. Another topic for another time.)
This tradition began as early as the 8th century when Pope Gregory III dedicated November 1st to honor all saints. Much like Christmas Eve or Easter Eve, the evening before was set aside for vigil and prayer in anticipation of the day’s significance (Hutton, The Stations of the Sun, 364). While many today associate Halloween with ghosts, goblins, and the macabre, its original purpose was deeply spiritual, focusing on the victory of Christ over death and the eternal hope of life with God.
Samhain: Untangling the Pagan Myth
A common misconception is that Halloween stems from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, a celebration marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. It’s often claimed that the church “Christianized” this festival, turning it into Halloween to suppress pagan practices. However, the historical evidence doesn’t really support this (Kelly, The Book of Hallowe’en, 2-5).
Samhain was undoubtedly an important festival for the Celts, but it was celebrated much differently than All Hallows’ Eve. In fact, the whole month of November was named for it, along with other festivals. The timing of All Saints’ Day on November 1st seems to have been chosen independently by the church, and there is no concrete evidence to suggest that Halloween was meant to replace or overshadow Samhain (Rogers, Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night, 22-25). While Samhain involved various customs, such as lighting bonfires and wearing costumes, these practices weren’t exclusively “pagan” and evolved over time, influenced by local customs and the Christian faith.
It’s also important to remember that early Christians did not operate with a mindset of “destroying” every cultural practice they encountered. Instead, they often sought to redeem and repurpose those practices with a Christian message (Hutton, The Triumph of the Moon, 46).
The Church’s Influence on Halloween Traditions
Many Halloween traditions that seem to have pagan origins are actually Christian in nature. For instance, the practice of “souling” was a medieval Christian tradition where people went door-to-door on All Hallows’ Eve, offering prayers in exchange for food, especially soul cakes (Hole, British Folk Customs, 124).
The carving of pumpkins or turnips into jack-o’-lanterns also has a Christian origin. In early Christian Europe, lanterns were used during All Hallows’ Eve vigils, symbolizing the light of Christ overcoming darkness (Santino, Halloween and Other Festivals of Death and Life, 86-89). The grotesque faces carved into them were not meant to invoke pagan spirits but to mock the powers of evil and death, pointing to Christ’s victory over sin and death (Roud, The English Year, 517).
Even the idea of dressing up in costumes can be traced to Christianity. During All Hallows’ Eve, some would dress as saints, angels, or even devils, representing the spiritual battle between good and evil. This tradition mirrors the broader Christian worldview of the cosmic struggle between God and Satan, light and darkness, and the ultimate triumph of God’s kingdom (Kelly, The Book of Hallowe’en, 45-48).
Redeeming Halloween
While modern Halloween celebrations often stray from the holiday’s Christian origins, this doesn’t mean the church should abandon it. Instead, Halloween can be redeemed as an opportunity for Christians to reflect on the meaning of death, the afterlife, and victory in Christ. Just as Christians centuries ago used the night of October 31st to prepare their hearts for All Saints’ Day, modern believers can use this time to remember that death has been conquered and that the saints who have gone before us are in God’s eternal presence.
For Christians concerned about Halloween’s modern secular or commercial overtones, this season also provides a chance to creatively engage with culture. Instead of focusing on the fear or darkness surrounding Halloween, the church can highlight the hope of the gospel and the joy of the resurrection. Whether by hosting fall festivals, sharing the gospel through outreach, or reclaiming Christian symbols in their celebrations, believers can shine the light of Christ even on Halloween.
Halloween’s True Roots
Halloween, far from being a pagan celebration, has deep Christian roots tied to the church’s traditions of honoring the saints and reflecting on the afterlife. While some customs may appear to have pagan origins, they have been primarily shaped by centuries of Christian influence. This October 31st, rather than rejecting Halloween, let’s remember its original purpose and celebrate the victory of Christ over death—a reason for both reflection and joy.
So, when Halloween rolls around, enjoy the festivities with your neighbors, but also take a moment to reflect on its origins. It’s a chance to remember the saints who have gone before, celebrate our hope in Christ, and engage with the world around us in meaningful ways. Halloween is, after all, a Christian holiday with a message far deeper than spooky costumes and trick-or-treating.
References
- Hole, Christina. British Folk Customs. London: Hutchinson & Co., 1976.
- Hutton, Ronald. The Stations of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1996.
- Hutton, Ronald. The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999.
- Kelly, Ruth Edna. The Book of Hallowe’en. Boston: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co., 1919.
- Rogers, Nicholas. Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003.
- Roud, Steve. The English Year: A Month-by-Month Guide to the Nation’s Customs and Festivals, from May Day to Mischief Night. London: Penguin, 2006.
- Santino, Jack. Halloween and Other Festivals of Death and Life. Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 1994.