Hello, I'm an expert in cultural studies with a focus on historical traditions and celebrations. Let's delve into the origins of Halloween.
Halloween, as we know it today, is a holiday with complex and ancient roots. It began as the Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, the darker half of the year. The Celts believed that on the night of October 31, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. This allowed spirits to roam the earth, and the Celts would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off these harmful spirits.
Later, in the 8th century, Pope Gregory III dedicated November 1 to all saints, and the night before became known as All Hallows' Eve, eventually evolving into Halloween. The tradition of dressing up, trick-or-treating, and carving pumpkins has been added over time, with influences from various cultures and traditions.
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