Google trend - Halloween

Halloween, also known as All Hallows' Eve, is a cultural holiday celebrated on the night of October 31st. It originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Over time, Halloween has evolved into a day of festivities, costumes, and the indulgence in spooky activities.

The origins of Halloween can be traced back to the ancient Celtic people who lived in what is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and parts of France. They believed that on the night of October 31st, the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred, and the spirits of the dead would return to Earth. To ward off these spirits, the Celts would light bonfires and wear costumes made of animal heads and skins.

As the Roman Empire conquered the Celtic territories, their own festivals of Feralia (honoring the dead) and Pomona (honoring the goddess of fruit and trees) blended with the Celtic traditions. With the spread of Christianity, Pope Boniface IV designated November 1st as All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs. The evening before All Saints' Day became known as All Hallows' Eve, which eventually transformed into the Halloween we know today.

In the Middle Ages, Halloween was a time for communities to come together and celebrate the end of the harvest season. People would light bonfires, carve turnips or beets into lanterns (which eventually became the iconic jack-o'-lanterns), and tell ghost stories. It was believed that the spirits would roam the earth, and people would leave food and drinks outside their homes to appease them.

As Irish and Scottish immigrants brought their traditions to North America in the 19th century, Halloween began to take on a new form. The Irish introduced the idea of dressing up in costumes and going door-to-door for food or money, a practice known as "guising." This tradition eventually evolved into modern-day trick-or-treating, where children dress up in costumes and visit houses, receiving candy in exchange for saying "trick or treat."

Halloween also became associated with various supernatural creatures and mythical beings. Vampires, witches, ghosts, and zombies all became popular symbols of the holiday. The celebration of Halloween expanded to include haunted houses, costume parties, and themed events. People would decorate their homes with spider webs, skeletons, and other spooky decorations to create a festive atmosphere.

In recent years, Halloween has become a multi-billion-dollar industry, with costume sales, haunted attractions, and parties being a significant part of the holiday. It has also become a time for creativity and self-expression, with people putting a lot of effort into their costumes and decorations.

Despite its commercialization, Halloween remains a beloved holiday for many. It provides an opportunity for people to embrace their fears, indulge in the supernatural, and have fun with friends and family. Whether it's attending a costume party, carving pumpkins, or watching horror movies, Halloween has become a time to let go of inhibitions and celebrate the spooky side of life.