The Origins and History of Halloween Traditions
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We have shared our love of Halloween on The Purple Pumpkin Blog from the very beginning! And over the years, through our annual series, Crafty October brought you hundreds of Halloween Recipes, Halloween Crafts, and Free Halloween Printables.
This year, we’re going right back, with the history of Halloween, and how this bewitching celebration has ancient roots—from the Celtic festival of Samhain to the modern night of costumes, candy, and carved pumpkins we know today.
Over the centuries, sacred bonfires, Roman feasts, medieval soul cakes, and folklore from around the world have all shaped Halloween into one of our favorite holidays.
So, grab a Pumpkin Spice Latte, a slice of Pumpkin Pie, and settle in—we’re diving into the spellbinding story of how Halloween began!
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From Celtic Roots: The Festival of Samhain
Long before trick-or-treaters and haunted houses, there was Samhain (pronounced Sow-in), the ancient Celtic festival marking the end of harvest and the beginning of winter.
For the Celts, this was the turning of the year—the time when the boundary between the living and the spirit world grew thin. Ancestors and other spirits were thought to walk among the living, and fires were lit to offer protection and guidance.
People wore simple disguises —often animal hides or masks —not to ward off evil exactly, but to blend in with wandering spirits so they wouldn’t be disturbed.
Food offerings were left outside homes to honor the dead and keep mischievous spirits at bay.
If you’re drawn to the mystical side of the season, visit our shop, The Witchy Trinket Cauldron—where we create and curate delightful trinket cauldrons. Our mystery scoops are filled with crystals, charms, trinkets, and treasures, perfect for Samhain and beyond.
Recipes for Samhain
Want to celebrate Samhain the traditional way? We’ve gathered some of our favorite Autumn Recipes that capture the warmth and spirit of the season—from soups and mains to root vegetable sides to sweet treats and cozy drinks.
Try Grandma’s Pumpkin Soup, Oven-Roasted Fall Harvest Soup, or Rustic Mushroom Spinach Soup with a chunk of crusty bread (try our Soda Bread Recipe, it’s foolproof!) to warm you through.
For dinner, Baked Chicken with Walnuts Stuffed Pumpkin, Slow Cooker Pork Chops, and Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs are hearty and delicious. Serve with sides like Rosemary Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Spiced Roasted Autumn Vegetables.
Wash it down with Sparkling Apple Ginger Punch, Apple Cider Dark and Stormy Cocktail, or Warm Autumn Fruit Punch.
And for after? Spiced Rhubarb And Apple Crumble, Toffee Apple Cupcakes, and Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are winning recipes.
Roman Influence: Pomona and the Harvest
When the Romans conquered Celtic lands, their own autumn festivals mingled with Samhain.
One of these was Feralia, a day to honor the dead, and another celebrated Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and orchards. Pomona’s symbol was the apple—so it’s likely that her festival inspired some of Halloween’s fruity traditions, like bobbing for apples.
All Saints’ Day and All Hallows’ Eve
By the 8th century, Pope Gregory III moved All Saints’ Day to November 1st, possibly to Christianize older pagan celebrations. The night before became All Hallows’ Eve—which, over time, became Halloween.
Although the holiday shifted to align with Christian traditions, many of Samhain’s customs persisted in new forms: bonfires, feasts, and remembering the dead.
Crossing the Ocean: Halloween Comes to America
In the 19th century, Irish and Scottish immigrants brought Halloween to North America.
Early celebrations included parties, games, and a few spooky superstitions—like tossing apple peels over your shoulder to reveal the initials of your future husband!
By the late 1800s, Halloween was evolving into a more community-based holiday, with parades, gatherings, and light-hearted fun rather than frightening superstition.
Trick-or-Treating: From Soul Cakes to Candy Bags
Our favorite Halloween tradition has a long history.
In medieval Britain, the poor (often children) went door-to-door on All Souls’ Day offering prayers for the dead in exchange for “soul cakes.”
In Scotland and Ireland, “guising” involved dressing up and performing songs or jokes in return for small gifts.
When these customs crossed the Atlantic, they blended into the modern practice of trick-or-treating—a sweet evolution of prayer, performance, and community spirit.
Try our Halloween Trick or Treat Cupcakes with Twix Candy Topping or print out one of our free printables: Trick or Treat Halloween Memory Match Game, Trick or Treat Bingo, and Trick or Treat Coloring Pages.
The Story of Jack-O’Lanterns
Ever wondered why we carve pumpkins?
In Irish folklore, a trickster named Stingy Jack outwitted the Devil and was condemned to wander the earth with only a burning coal inside a hollowed-out turnip. People in Ireland and Scotland began carving their own “Jack’s lanterns” to keep spirits away.
When immigrants arrived in America, they discovered pumpkins—larger and easier to carve than turnips—and a new tradition was born.
The modern Jack-O’Lantern remains one of Halloween’s most iconic symbols, lighting the way for trick-or-treaters each October.
Grab 100+ Free Pumpkin Carving Patterns here! For no-carve options, why not make a Mandala Pumpkin or a Googly Eye Pumpkin?
Discover our other Pumpkin Crafts.
Black Cats and Witches’ Companions
Black cats have long been associated with mystery and magic.
During the Middle Ages, they were believed to be witches’ familiars—supernatural companions that helped with spells and rituals. While this superstition once led to fear and persecution, today black cats are seen as symbols of luck and protection—and, of course, Halloween’s unofficial mascot!
Make our Halloween Full Moon & Black Cat Cupcakes or download our Free Printable Halloween Paper Cat Template Craft
The Meaning Behind Halloween’s Colors
Halloween just wouldn’t look right without its classic colors of orange and black.
- Orange represents the harvest season, autumn leaves, and glowing fires.
- Black symbolizes the night, the unknown, and the spirit world.
Together, they reflect the very heart of Halloween—life, death, and the turning of the seasons.
Halloween Around the World
Halloween’s spirit has spread far beyond its Celtic roots.
- In Ireland, bonfires and games still celebrate the original Samhain.
- In the UK, Halloween parties, trick-or-treating, and ghost tours grow more popular every year.
- Japan doesn’t have a history of Halloween but has adopted it as a purely secular celebration focused on costumes and parties.
- And in Mexico, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) takes place at the same time, honoring ancestors with altars, flowers, and offerings.
Although Día de los Muertos is a completely separate tradition with ancient Mesoamerican roots, both holidays share a beautiful theme—remembering and celebrating loved ones who have passed.
From Firelight to Fairy Lights
From sacred bonfires to candy-filled bowls, Halloween has always been a celebration of change, remembrance, and transformation.
It connects us to our ancestors, marks the turning of the year, and lets us embrace a little magic and mystery—just for one night.
So this October 31st, as you carve your Jack-O’Lantern or tell ghost stories by candlelight, remember that you’re part of a tradition thousands of years in the making.
Wishing you a magical, mysterious, and utterly unforgettable Halloween!
Happy Haunting!