The leaves are turning brown, the evenings are drawing in and Halloween is just around the corner. Whether you have fond memories of playing Trick-of-Treat, can’t resist an excuse to dress up, or love a classic pumpkin-carving session, Halloween has a special, mischievous feel to it that is unlike any other celebration.
While many of us in the UK celebrate this occasion on the 31st October, it’s not often that we stop and think about the festival’s origins. So where does the tradition of Halloween come from? In this article we cover the history of Halloween, the most popular modern traditions, as well as a shortlist of the very best Halloween online casino games for you to enjoy this autumn, courtesy of the ever-evolving casino library at NetBet Casino. Our slots are truly unrivalled!
For all things Halloween-related, read on for a spooktacular summary on everything you need to know!
What Is Halloween?
Halloween is a celebration on the 31st October observed in a number of countries, mainly those with an historically Christian society. Today, a typical Halloween is far-removed from its religious roots and is celebrated by dressing up in scary costumes, eating sweets and candy, playing party games and carving pumpkins.
Before we get into the typical Halloween festivities, including the very best Halloween games to play, let’s take a journey back in time and find out where Halloween came from in the first place.
The History of Halloween
Halloween, also written as ‘Hallowe’en’, is an abbreviation of the original ‘All Hallows’ Evening’, an annual occasion that dates back to around the 4th century, when it was a Christian celebration in honour of every saint, martyr and Christian who had died. Long before the words ‘Trick or Treat’ had ever left a child’s mouth, this event was called All Saints’ Day.
There are theories that traces of a Halloween-like celebration date further back still, to a time before Christianity was introduced to the British isles by the Romans. One convincing theory suggests that the time of year has always been of significance, marking the gathering of the harvest and the beginning of cooler weather, which dates back to Celtic and Gaelic cultures, which themselves have roots in paganism.
However, when it first started, Halloween was celebrated throughout the centuries as a religious festival throughout Europe and reached North America in the 18th and 19th centuries.
How Do People Celebrate Halloween?
Many traditional symbols of Halloween can be traced back through the centuries, one of the most iconic being the Jack-O’Lantern, a gourd of some kind (usually or pumpkin) carved with a scary face with a candle inside, traditionally used to ward off evil spirits. Today, who doesn’t love the cosy activity of carving a pumpkin and lighting up the house, whether you believe in evil spirits or not?
Apple bobbing is another popular Halloween activity, involving floating apples in a tub of water and attempting to retrieve one using only the teeth. Surprisingly, it is believed that this activity dates as far back as the Roman Empire, when a similar game was played to determine who would be the next person to get married.
Trick-or-treating is the most well-known of modern Halloween celebrations. The activity is linked to the more traditional ‘guising’, which involves dressing in costume and visiting houses where songs would be performed in exchange for food. The ‘trick’ element appears to have been added around the 1920s in the US.
Popular Halloween Costumes
These days it seems people are getting more and more creative with their costumes, but the traditional disguises still re-appear every year. Popular costumes include witches, ghouls, goblins, pumpkins, skeletons and vampires, devils and ghosts.
The Best Halloween Slot Games
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Stay safe and enjoy the best experience with NetBet Casino this Halloween.
