Hello!
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毎年１０月３１日はKIDSが大好きHalloweenの日！
実はアイルランド発祥なのはご存じでしたか？
そんなアイルランドのハロウィンについて、
出身であるMark先生がシェアしてくれました🎃
Samhain: The Origins of Hallowe’en
Around this time of year, I’m often asked if I will celebrate Hallowe’en, and I usually ask in return if they know where Hallowe’en comes from. Most often, I’m told: America!
I politely remind the person that Hallowe’en is an ancient festival that is thousands of years old—while America is only about three hundred!
As an Irishman, I’d like to give you some information about Hallowe’en.
Hallowe’en originated in Ireland and is deeply rooted in our pre-Christian culture. At that time, it was known as Samhain (pronounced SOW-in), a Celtic festival that marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter. Traditionally celebrated from the night of October 31st to November 1st, Samhain was believed to be a time when the boundary between the living and the dead became liminal (thin), allowing supernatural beings to pass easily between our world and the Otherworld (Tír na nÓg or Tír nAill).
The word Samhain means “summer’s end” in Old Irish. It was one of the four main seasonal festivals celebrated by the Celts, along with Imbolc, Beltane, and Lughnasadh. For them, Samhain marked both an ending and a beginning—saying goodbye to the light half of the year and preparing for the dark, cold months ahead.
During Samhain, people lit large bonfires to protect their communities and to honor the gods and spirits. They believed that spirits, elves (known as the Aos Sí), fairies, and even their ancestors would visit during this time. To keep these spirits happy, people left out food and drink. Others wore costumes to confuse or scare away harmful beings—an early version of today’s Hallowe’en costumes. Carving scary faces into turnips or gourds also helped protect homes from wandering spirits.
Samhain was also a time for remembering the dead. Families would set a place at the table for deceased loved ones or hold quiet ceremonies to honor them. Many believed messages could be received from beyond, so people often practiced fortune-telling or other spiritual rituals.
With the spread of Christianity into Celtic lands during the early Middle Ages, church leaders often sought to replace pagan festivals with Christian ones. In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III created a three-day observance known as Allhallowtide:
All Hallows’ Eve (October 31)
All Saints’ Day (November 1)
All Souls’ Day (November 2)
All Hallows’ Eve—now known as Hallowe’en—incorporated many Samhain traditions, such as dressing in costumes, lighting candles, and sharing food. Over time, these practices became more secular and commercial, especially in North America, where Hallowe’en evolved into a holiday best known for pumpkins and chocolate (neither of which existed in ancient Ireland). Even the Jack-o’-lantern is a modern invention, only loosely connected to older traditions.
In Celtic nations, Samhain is still recognized in various forms. In Ireland, for example, October 31st is called Oíche Shamhna, and events, festivals, and educational initiatives are held to highlight the cultural importance of Samhain and its role in Celtic heritage. Many towns and villages hold nighttime parades of monsters and demons who are, to be honest, very scary!
To finish, Samhain is far more than just the ancestor of Hallowe’en. It is a rich and meaningful tradition that reflects Ireland’s origins and its supernatural heritage. It tells the stories of divine races, especially the Tuatha Dé Danann, a powerful group of gods and goddesses skilled in magic, who once ruled Ireland. It explores our early understanding of nature, life, death, and the spiritual world. Its endurance and evolution over thousands of years show just how deeply it resonates with the human experience.
Thanks for reading!
Mark
P.S. You may be wondering why I keep spelling Hallowe’en with an apostrophe. It’s because this is the correct spelling!
Hallowe’en is a contraction of All Hallows’ Evening
→ All Hallows’ E’ening → Hallowe’en.
Most people spell it Halloween, though. Both are acceptable.
そんなMark先生のレッスンは毎週月曜日と日曜日に開講中！
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