Is Halloween celebrated in your area? In the United States and Canada, Halloween is widely recognized and celebrated annually on October 31. However, Halloween customs can also be found in various other parts of the world. In some regions, holidays may be observed that, while called by different names, share similar themes of connecting with the spirit world, involving the spirits of the dead, fairies, witches, and even the devil and demons (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2013).

Halloween has traditionally been viewed as an American holiday, but it has gained popularity in various regions worldwide. Moreover, there are other celebrations that resemble Halloween by honoring the presence and activities of spirit beings. Below are some popular holidays similar to Halloween across the globe (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2013):

- North America - Day of the Dead

- South America - Kawsasqanchis

- Europe - Day of the Dead and various Halloween adaptations

- Africa - Dance of the Hooded Egunguns

- Asia - Bon Festival

The Bible does not reference Halloween, a holiday celebrated by many on October 31 each year. However, the ancient origins and traditions associated with Halloween are at odds with biblical teachings (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, n.d.).

The History and Traditions of Halloween

1.) Samhain

According to The World Book Encyclopedia, the roots of Halloween can be traced back to this “ancient pagan festival celebrated by the Celtic people over 2,000 years ago.” The Celts believed that during this time, the dead could roam among the living, allowing the living to connect with their deceased loved ones (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, n.d.).

HALLOWEEN TIMELINE

- FIFTH CENTURY B.C.E. 

The Celts celebrate the festival of Samhain at the end of October, believing that ghosts and demons are more active on Earth during this time (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2013).

- FIRST CENTURY C.E. 

The Romans conquer the Celts and adopt the spiritual rituals associated with Samhain (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2013).

- SEVENTH CENTURY C.E. 

Pope Boniface IV is believed to have established the annual celebration of All Saints’ Day to honor martyrs (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2013).

- ELEVENTH CENTURY C.E. 

November 2 is designated as All Souls’ Day to remember the dead. The observances of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day are collectively referred to as Hallowtide (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2013).

- EIGHTEENTH CENTURY C.E. 

The term Hallowe’en (Hallow Evening) appears in print, evolving into Halloween (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2013).

- NINETEENTH CENTURY C.E. 

Thousands of Irish immigrants bring their Halloween customs to the United States, which eventually blend with similar traditions from emigrants from Britain, Germany, Africa, and other regions (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2013).

- TWENTIETH CENTURY C.E. 

Halloween emerges as a widely celebrated national holiday in the United States (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2013).

- TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY C.E. 

Commercial interest in Halloween develops into a global multibillion-dollar industry (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2013).

2.) What is the origin of the name Halloween?

The term Halloween is linked to the pagan Celtic festival of Samhain. According to The World Book Encyclopedia, “Samhain... means summer’s end. The festival marked the beginning of the dark winter season and was celebrated around November 1. In the 700s to 800s A.D., the Christian church established a new holiday called All Saints’ Day on this date. All Saints’ Day was also referred to as All Hallows’. The word hallow means saint or one who is holy. The evening before All Hallows’ was known as All Hallows’ Eve, which was later shortened to All Hallow e’en. Eventually, this was condensed to Halloween.” (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, n.d.)

3.) Halloween costumes, candy, and trick-or-treating

One source indicates that some Celts donned eerie costumes to avoid being recognized by wandering spirits, hoping they would mistake them for fellow spirits and leave them undisturbed. Others would offer sweets to the spirits as a means of appeasement. In medieval Europe, the Catholic clergy embraced local pagan traditions, encouraging their church members to dress in costumes and visit homes to collect small gifts (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, n.d.).

4.) Ghosts, vampires, werewolves, witches, and zombies

These have long been associated with the evil spirit world. Referring to them as “supernatural monsters,” the book Halloween Trivia states that such creatures are “closely connected with death, the dead or the fear of dying.” (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, n.d.)

Are the pagan origins of Halloween significant?

While some people see Halloween as a harmless celebration, its associated practices directly contradict biblical teachings. Halloween is rooted in false beliefs about the dead and unseen spirits, or demons (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, n.d.). 

Consider the following verses that illustrate God's perspective on the beliefs linked to Halloween (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, n.d.):

1.) God disapproves of attempts to communicate with the dead or even of creating the impression of seeking contact with those who have passed away (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, n.d.).

Deuteronomy 18:10-12; “There should not be found in you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, anyone who employs divination, anyone practicing magic, anyone who looks for omens, a sorcerer, anyone binding others with a spell, anyone who consults a spirit medium or a fortune-teller, or anyone who inquires of the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to Jehovah, and on account of these detestable practices Jehovah your God is driving them away from before you.” (Deuteronomy 18:10-12, New World Translation)

2.) Since the dead are in a state of unconsciousness, they are unable to communicate with the living (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, n.d.).

Ecclesiastes 9:5; “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing at all, nor do they have any more reward, because all memory of them is forgotten.”(Ecclesiastes 9:5, New World Translation)

3.) Those who want God’s favor must avoid any connection with demons (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, n.d.).

1 Corinthians 10:20, 21;“No; but I say that what the nations sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers with the demons. You cannot be drinking the cup of Jehovah and the cup of demons; you cannot be partaking of “the table of Jehovah” and the table of demons.” (1 Corinthians 10:20, 21, New World Translation)

4.) Christians should oppose wicked spirit forces, not pretend to celebrate with them (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, n.d.).

Ephesians 6:11, 12; “Put on the complete suit of armor from God so that you may be able to stand firm against the crafty acts of the Devil; because we have a struggle, not against blood and flesh, but against the governments, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:11, 12, New World Translation)

The Reality of Halloween

PERSONALLY, you may not believe in supernatural spirits and may see participating in Halloween and similar celebrations as merely a fun way to encourage your children to use their imagination. However, many people view these celebrations as harmful for several reasons (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2013):

1.) “Halloween,” as noted in the Encyclopedia of American Folklore, “is closely linked to the idea of interacting with spiritual forces, many of which can be threatening or frightening.” Similarly, many celebrations akin to Halloween have pagan origins and are strongly tied to ancestor worship. Even today, people across the globe use these occasions to attempt contact with what they believe are the spirits of the dead (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2013).

2.) While Halloween has primarily been regarded as an American holiday, an increasing number of countries are embracing it each year. However, many newcomers to the celebration are often unaware of the pagan origins behind Halloween symbols, decorations, and customs, most of which are associated with supernatural beings and occult forces (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2013).

- VAMPIRES, WEREWOLVES, WITCHES, ZOMBIES: These beings have long been linked to the malevolent spirit world.

- CANDY: The ancient Celts attempted to placate wicked spirits with sweets. Later, the church encouraged people to go door-to-door on All Hallows’ Eve, requesting food in exchange for prayers for the deceased. This practice eventually evolved into Halloween’s trick-or-treating.

- COSTUMES: The Celts donned frightening masks to trick evil spirits into believing they were fellow spirits, hoping to avoid trouble. Over time, the church integrated pagan customs with the feasts of All Souls and All Saints. Eventually, celebrants began going from house to house dressed as saints, angels, and devils.

- PUMPKINS: Initially, carved, candlelit turnips were displayed to ward off evil spirits. For some, the candle inside the turnip symbolized a soul trapped in purgatory. Later, carved pumpkins became the more common choice.

3.) Thousands of Wiccans, who adhere to ancient Celtic rituals, still refer to Halloween by its original name, Samhain, and regard it as the most sacred night of the year. A professed witch was quoted in USA Today saying, “Christians don’t realize it, but they’re celebrating our holiday with us... We enjoy it.” (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2013)

4.) Celebrations such as Halloween contradict biblical teachings. The Bible cautions: “There should not be found in you anyone who... practice divination, is a soothsayer, augur, or sorcerer, uses charms, consults ghosts or spirits, or calls up the dead.” —Deuteronomy 18:10, 11, The Jerusalem Bible; see also Leviticus 19:31; Galatians 5:19-21. (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2013)

Deuteronomy 18:10, 11; There should not be found in you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, anyone who employs divination, anyone practicing magic, anyone who looks for omens, a sorcerer, anyone binding others with a spell, anyone who consults a spirit medium or a fortune-teller, or anyone who inquires of the dead." (Deuteronomy 18:10, 11, New World Translation)

Leviticus 19:31; “ “‘Do not turn to the spirit mediums, and do not consult fortune-tellers so as to become unclean by them. I am Jehovah your God.” (Leviticus 19:31, New World Translation)

Galatians 5:19-21; “ Now the works of the flesh are plainly seen, and they are sexual immorality, uncleanness, brazen conduct, idolatry, spiritism, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, dissensions, divisions, sects, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and things like these. I am forewarning you about these things, the same way I already warned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom." (Galatians 5:19-21, New World Translation)

Given the information presented, it is prudent for you to be aware of the dark origins of Halloween and similar celebrations. Gaining this deeper understanding may encourage you to align with many others who choose not to partake in these holidays (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2013).

Quiz: How Well Do You Know Halloween?

1. In which country is Halloween widely celebrated on October 31? 

a. Japan

b. Australia

c. United States

d. India

2. Which ancient festival is Halloween originally connected to? 

a. Bon Festival

b. Samhain

c. Dance of the Hooded Egunguns

d. All Saints’ Day

3. What is the purpose of All Souls’ Day, which is part of Hallowtide? 

a. To celebrate the harvest

b. To honor the martyrs

c. To remember the dead

d. To welcome the winter

4. What name was Halloween originally referred to before it was shortened? 

a. All Souls’ Night

b. Hallowed Evening

c. All Hallows’ Eve

d. Festival of the Dead

5. Which of these celebrations is similar to Halloween and is observed in Africa? 

a. Bon Festival

b. Kawsasqanchis

c. Dance of the Hooded Egunguns

d. Day of the Dead

6. In medieval Europe, why did some people dress in eerie costumes on Halloween? 

a. To honor fallen warriors

b. To avoid being recognized by spirits

c. To show devotion to their church

d. To display their wealth and power

7. Which biblical verse warns against seeking contact with the dead? 

a. Deuteronomy 18:10-12

b. Ecclesiastes 9:5

c. 1 Corinthians 10:20

d. Ephesians 6:11

8. What did ancient Celts use to appease spirits during Halloween? 

a. Prayers

b. Costumes

c. Sweet treats

d. Carved pumpkins

9. What is one reason Wiccans refer to Halloween as “Samhain”? 

a. It represents the harvest season

b. It is the most sacred night of the year

c. It marks the beginning of spring

d. It is a holiday exclusively celebrated by Christians

10. According to the article, what symbolized a soul trapped in purgatory in early Halloween traditions? 

a. Carved pumpkins

b. Candles

c. Turnips with candles inside

d. Masks

Answer Key

1. c. United States

2. b. Samhain

3. c. To remember the dead

4. c. All Hallows’ Eve

5. c. Dance of the Hooded Egunguns

6. b. To avoid being recognized by spirits

7. a. Deuteronomy 18:10-12

8. c. Sweet treats

9. b. It is the most sacred night of the year

10. c. Turnips with candles inside

For more free, Bible-based answers to everyday topics, please visit jw.org.

Bibliography

Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. (2013). New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.

Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. (2013). The truth about Halloween. JW.org. https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/g201309/truth-about-halloween/

Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. (n.d.). What is the origin of Halloween? JW.org. https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/halloween-origin/#footnotesource1

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