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In this country, Halloween is often thought to be a commercial import from the USA. However, the event actually goes back to an ancient Celtic festival.
Centuries before Christ, "Samhain" was celebrated on 31 October: A kind of harvest festival that heralded the end of winter and was regarded as the start of the new calendar year.
The word "Halloween" is derived from "All Hallows Eve / Evening", which means the evening before All Saints' Day, the Christian holiday.
Apparently, the Celts believed that the realm of the dead was particularly close to that of the living on this day and that the dead could cross over. In order to protect themselves and not be recognised by the dead, people dressed up on this evening.
In Christianity, the day is also associated with the commemoration of the dead.
Over the centuries, the traditions have merged. The well-known "trick or treat" can be traced back to the parades on All Saints' Day. The costumes probably have their origins in Celtic customs.
According to Irish legend, Jack the Fool managed to lure the devil into a trap when he tried to take his soul. Only after the devil had promised him that he would not go to hell after his death did Jack release him.
When Jack died years later, he was denied entry into heaven because he had committed so many misdeeds during his lifetime. Because of the pact he had made with the devil, he was also rejected in hell. He was sent back to earth by him, condemned to wander around for eternity. However, the devil was merciful: he gave him glowing coals from hellfire to light his way. Jack put it in a turnip.
In Ireland, it became a custom to put coal in turnips to keep the devil and evil spirits away. Irish immigrants brought this custom to the States, where pumpkins were much more common and replaced turnips.
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