Halloween, originally known as Samhain, is a holiday that has gone through drastic transformations over the centuries. Its roots can be traced back to ancient Celtic rituals and pagan traditions. Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. During this time, it was believed that the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred, allowing spirits to roam freely among the living. To ward off these roaming spirits, the Celts lit bonfires and wore costumes to disguise themselves. They would also leave food and treats outside their homes to appease the spirits and prevent them from causing mischief.
The introduction treats the reader to a chatty, entertaining description of drag queens celebrating on Toronto’s Church Street in 1998. In ensuing chapters Rogers drops the chatty tone and discusses the history of Halloween – the festival Samhein, the Christian origins of All Saints Day, and how Halloween came into existence in North America. Rogers relies heavily on quotes and other sources in the history sections, and the result lacks the charm and inquisitiveness of the introduction.
Engagingly written and based on extensive research, Halloween is the definitive history of the most bewitching day of the year, illuminating the intricate history and shifting cultural forces behind this enduring trick-or-treat holiday. He examines how this very license has prompted censure by the religious Right, occasional outrage from law enforcement officials, and appropriation by Left-leaning political groups.
They would also leave food and treats outside their homes to appease the spirits and prevent them from causing mischief. This practice of wearing costumes and giving treats can be seen as the origin of modern-day Halloween traditions. As Christianity spread throughout Europe, the church attempted to Christianize pagan holidays.
Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night
B&W photos and illustrations throughout. The author traces Halloween as it emerged from the Celtic festival of Samhain (summer's end), picked up elements of the Christian Hallowtide, arrived in North America as an Irish and Scottish festival, and evolved into an unofficial but large-scale holiday by the early 20th century. He shows how Halloween remains, at its core, a night of inversion, when social norms are turned upside down, and a temporary freedom of expression reigns supreme. Wear at edges, stickers on back cover, reading creases, rubbed, 3 black lines on bottom endpages. Size: 5 " x 8". Seller Inventory # 010464
Title: Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night
Publisher: Oxford University Press, New York, NY
Publication Date: 2002
Binding: Soft Cover
Condition: Very Good Minus
Edition: First Trade Paperback
Book Type: TRADE PAPERBACK
About this title
Synopsis:Boasting a rich, complex history rooted in Celtic and Christian ritual, Halloween has evolved from ethnic celebration to a blend of street festival, fright night, and vast commercial enterprise. In this colorful history, Nicholas Rogers takes a lively, entertaining look at the cultural origins and development of one of the most popular holidays of the year.
Drawing on a fascinating array of sources, from classical history to Hollywood films, Rogers traces Halloween as it emerged from the Celtic festival of Samhain (summer's end), picked up elements of the Christian Hallowtide (All Saint's Day and All Soul's Day), arrived in North America as an Irish and Scottish festival, and evolved into an unofficial but large-scale holiday by the early 20th century. He examines the 1970s and '80s phenomena of Halloween sadism (razor blades in apples) and inner-city violence (arson in Detroit), as well as the immense influence of the horror film genre on the reinvention of Halloween as a terror-fest. Throughout his vivid account, Rogers shows how Halloween remains, at its core, a night of inversion, when social norms are turned upside down, and a temporary freedom of expression reigns supreme. He examines how this very license has prompted censure by the religious Right, occasional outrage from law enforcement officials, and appropriation by Left-leaning political groups.
Engagingly written and based on extensive research, Halloween is the definitive history of the most bewitching day of the year, illuminating the intricate history and shifting cultural forces behind this enduring trick-or-treat holiday.
Nicholas Rogers is Professor of History at York University. He is the co-author of Eighteenth-Century English Society: Shuttles and Swords (OUP) and the author of Crowds, Culture, and Politics in Georgian Britain (OUP), for which he received the 1999 Wallace K. Ferguson Prize of the Canadian Historical Association for the best book on non-Canadian history.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
This brief look at the history and meaning of Halloween is an uneasy blend of academic treatise, personal observation, and pop-culture rant. York University professor Nicholas Rogers tries to cover too much material in too few pages, resulting in a pastiche of quotes pasted together with dry observations of contemporary culture.
In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1st as All Saints' Day, also known as All Hallows' Day, in an effort to honor saints and martyrs. The night before, which was the Celtic festival of Samhain, became known as All Hallows' Eve, eventually shortened to Halloween. Halloween was brought to America by Irish and Scottish immigrants in the 19th century. The holiday took on new forms and incorporated traditions from various cultures. The concept of trick-or-treating became popular, with children going from house to house asking for treats and playing pranks if they were not given any. Jack-o'-lanterns, originally carved from turnips or potatoes, became synonymous with Halloween, thanks to the abundance of pumpkins in America. In the 20th century, Halloween started to evolve into a more community-centered holiday. Parties and parades were organized, and the focus shifted from warding off evil spirits to having fun and dressing up in costumes. Today, Halloween is mainly seen as a commercialized holiday, with decorations, costumes, and candy sales reaching astronomical figures. Despite its transformation from a pagan ritual to a party night, Halloween still retains elements of its ancient origins. Many people still believe that the boundary between the living and the dead is thin on Halloween night. Ghost stories and haunted houses continue to be popular attractions, and the fascination with the supernatural persists. In conclusion, Halloween has come a long way from its pagan roots. What was once a solemn ceremony to ward off spirits has become a festive occasion celebrated by people of all ages. While the commercialization of the holiday may overshadow its original meaning, the essence of Halloween remains a time to embrace the spooky and mysterious..
Reviews for "Halloween Decorations: Uncovering the Traditional Symbols and Their Meanings"
- John Smith - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Halloween from pagan ritual to party night." I was hoping for an in-depth exploration of the origins and meaning behind Halloween, but instead, I got a superficial overview that barely scratched the surface. The writing was also quite dry and lacked any sort of engaging narrative. Overall, it felt like the author rushed through the subject without providing any substantial information or analysis. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a comprehensive understanding of Halloween's history.
- Sarah Johnson - 1 star - I found "Halloween from pagan ritual to party night" to be incredibly boring and uninformative. The author seemed more focused on listing irrelevant facts and trivia rather than delving into the deeper significance of Halloween. Additionally, the writing was convoluted and hard to follow, making it difficult to stay engaged with the content. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. I would advise anyone interested in learning about the origins of Halloween to look elsewhere.
- Michael Thompson - 2 stars - As someone who has a genuine interest in the historical and cultural aspects of Halloween, I was truly let down by this book. "Halloween from pagan ritual to party night" failed to provide any substantial insights or analysis into the significance of the holiday. The author seemed more interested in recounting anecdotes and personal experiences rather than focusing on the subject matter at hand. I was hoping for a well-researched and thought-provoking exploration of Halloween's evolution, but this book failed to deliver. Save your money and find another book on the topic.