Halloween is a holiday that is celebrated on October 31st each year. It is known for its association with costumes, candy, and spooky decorations. However, the origins of Halloween can be traced back to ancient pagan rituals. The ancient Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in what is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1st. This day marked the end of summer and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, which was often associated with death. On the night before the new year, the Celts believed that the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred.
On the night before the new year, the Celts believed that the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred. They believed that on this night, the spirits of the deceased would return to Earth to wreak havoc. To ward off these spirits, the Celts would light bonfires and wear costumes made of animal skins.
Witches in History
Located in a dark room within Second Sight: Witchcraft, Ritual, Power are three small prints. They are easy to overlook. Monochromatic and diminutive in size, they are not as attention-grabbing as some of the much bolder images on display. But I would urge viewers to look for these prints, as they are responsible for establishing some of the most important imagery that we still associate with witches and hold the key to understanding Second Sight.
Hans Baldung Grien, The bewitched groom (c.1544), Reproduced courtesy The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Rogers Fund, 1917.
Hans Baldung Grien, The bewitched groom (c.1544), Reproduced courtesy The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Rogers Fund, 1917.
Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, Circe with companions of Ulysses changed into animals (1650-1651).
Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, Circe with companions of Ulysses changed into animals (1650-1651).
Albrecht Dürer, Witch riding backwards on a goat (1501-1502), Reproduced courtesy of The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington.
Albrecht Dürer, Witch riding backwards on a goat (1501-1502), Reproduced courtesy of The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington.
For most people today, witches are the stuff of Halloween or Disney. But only 300 years ago, witchcraft was a crime punishable by death. During the early modern period (1450–1750), 45 000 women and men were executed in Western Europe under legislation specifically against witchcraft. Another 45 000 were tried but not convicted. In the eyes of the law, and in much of society, witches were people who had made a pact with the Devil and who had then used their newfound demonic powers to harm their neighbours. Witches were most often believed to be women, frequently elderly, poor, widowed or childless. They were accused of killing children, making men impotent, ruining crops, causing storms and shipwrecks, attending the sabbath, and working together to cause evil and discord. Of course, most of these accusations were only true in the minds of accusers, but that didn’t stop the vast majority of men and women from believing in witchcraft.
But where did these ideas come from? Although witches were believed to exist in medieval Europe, it wasn’t until the fifteenth century that the idea of witchcraft as a diabolical crime rose to prominence. Key texts were influential in establishing this concept, such as Heinrich Kramer’s notorious Malleus Maleficarum (The Hammer of Witches) of 1486 and a number of lesser known texts from the 1430s. But one of the main ways in which ideas of witchcraft circulated was through visual culture. In Second Sight, we are lucky enough to have three early visual depictions of witchcraft: Albrecht Dürer’s Witch Riding Backwards on a Goat (1501–1502); Hans Baldung Grien’s The Bewitched Groom (1544); and Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione’s Circe with Companions of Ulysses Turned into Animals (1650–1651).
All of these works feature aspects of the now stereotypical witch. For example, Dürer’s witch is depicted as a strong, muscled figure who looks wholly in charge while riding the goat. Her position riding backwards shows the inverse and unnatural role of witches in the world. Similarly, her hair flows in the opposite direction than it should, highlighting that she is outside nature. She is both physically repellent through her masculine body but also strongly sexualised. The distaff (a feminine object used to spin wool or flax) placed prominently between her legs, her long hair and open mouth (all signifying lust), and her suggestive grasping of the goat’s horn all associate her with transgression and sexual desire. Fifteenth- and sixteenth-century treatises on witches associated them with deviant sexuality, with many authors describing the unnatural orgies in which witches were believed to partake. At the sabbath, witches were believed to engage in supposedly unnatural sexual acts with the Devil, with other witches, and even with their own children. This concept of the lustful witch is also visible in Grien’s The Bewitched Groom; although the witch is off to the side, her exposed breast is visible to all. Grien’s work also highlights anxieties about sexuality. Central to the piece is the bewitched groom’s prominent codpiece; this motif is echoed by the horse’s uncovered genitals, revealed through a brief movement of its tail. Although the witch is not central, it is clear that her presence is tied to dangerous sexuality.
They believed that the costumes would disguise them from the spirits and protect them from harm. Additionally, they would leave offerings of food and drink outside their homes to appease the spirits. As Christianity spread throughout the region, the Church attempted to replace the pagan rituals with Christian ones. In the 7th century, Pope Boniface IV designated November 1st as All Saints' Day, a day to honor all saints and martyrs. This day was also known as All Hallows' Day, and the night before became known as All Hallows' Eve, which eventually morphed into Halloween. Despite its Christian connotations, Halloween continued to retain many of its pagan traditions. The practice of wearing costumes and carving turnips or other vegetables into lanterns, known as jack-o'-lanterns, persisted. The lanterns were said to ward off evil spirits, and eventually, pumpkins replaced turnips as the preferred carving material. In the 19th century, Irish immigrants brought Halloween to the United States, where it became popularized and commercialized. The holiday evolved into a community-centered event, with activities such as trick-or-treating and Halloween parties. Today, Halloween is widely celebrated in various countries around the world. While the modern celebration of Halloween may seem far removed from its pagan roots, the traditions and symbols associated with the holiday still draw from its ancient origins. Whether it's dressing up in costumes, carving pumpkins, or indulging in sweet treats, Halloween continues to be a night of fun and festivities, steeped in ancient folklore and tradition..
Reviews for "Halloween Around the World: Exploring Different Cultural Perspectives on the Holiday"
1) Sarah - 1/5 - Halloween from pagan ritual gk party night was a complete waste of my time and money. The event was poorly organized and lacked any real substance. The decorations were tacky and uninspired, the music was too loud and chaotic, and the atmosphere felt more like a cheap carnival than a spooky Halloween party. The activities they had planned were boring and unoriginal, like bobbing for apples and a lame costume contest. I expected something much more frightening and exciting. Overall, I was extremely disappointed and would not recommend this event to anyone.
2) John - 2/5 - I had high hopes for Halloween from pagan ritual gk party night, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The venue was too small for the number of people attending, causing overcrowding and a lack of space to enjoy the festivities. The food and drink options were limited, and the quality was subpar. Additionally, the entertainment provided was underwhelming and didn't hold my interest for long. While there were some highlights, such as a decent haunted house setup, overall, I felt let down by this event. I wouldn't go again or recommend it to others looking for a memorable Halloween experience.
3) Lisa - 2/5 - Halloween from pagan ritual gk party night was a mixed bag for me. Some aspects of the event were enjoyable, like the creative costumes and the effort put into the decorations. However, there were several issues that hindered my overall experience. The organization was chaotic, with long lines for everything from entry to the restroom. The music was repetitive and too loud, making it difficult to have a conversation with friends. The activities and games on offer were lackluster and didn't engage me. Overall, while it had its moments, I left feeling unsatisfied and wouldn't choose to attend this event again in the future.