Masks, Myths, and Monsters: From Ancient Rituals to Pop Culture Costumes

The Ancient Origins of Halloween and Costumes

The roots of modern-day Halloween can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated on the night of October 31st. Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter.

The year began with the first day of the dark half, November 1st. However, because the Celtic day began at night, Samhain falls on October 31st. The Celts thought that on this night, the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead was very thin, allowing spirits to enter the world of the living.

The Celts had several traditions to protect themselves from roaming spirits. They wore costumes, often made of animal skins and heads, to disguise themselves from malevolent spirits. They also lit bonfires to ward off evil and offered food to appease wandering spirits and deities. At home, treats were left on the front porch, or an extra setting would be added to the table to welcome any friendly spirits who stopped by.

Samhain (pronounced “SOW-in” or “SAH-win”) was celebrated throughout the ancient Celtic communities of Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. Today, the celebration of Samhain continues in many countries with Celtic roots through various cultural events and festivals that honor the ancient traditions and beliefs associated with this time of year. Communities often gather for bonfires, storytelling, and feasts, blending contemporary practices with ancestral customs to celebrate the changing seasons and remember those who have passed. 

The Wild Hunt in Glastonbury is one such festival. It is based on the legend of Gwyn Ap Nudd, who lives under Glastonbury Tor and emerges around Samhain time to ride with the Wild Hunt. 

The Evolution of Halloween After the Arrival of Christianity in Europe

When Christianity spread through Europe, the church attempted to blend pagan traditions with Christian celebrations. All Saints’ Day was established and initially set for May 13th to incorporate Samhain into a similar Christian context. However, Celtic resistance to abandoning Samhain eventually caused the date to move back to fall.

Samhain evolved into All Hallows’ Eve (later shortened to Halloween), preceding All Saints’ Day on November 1st, when saints were honored. By the Middle Ages, people often participated in “souling,” when the poor went door to door on All Hallows Eve, offering prayers for the dead in exchange for food. Some wore costumes representing saints or angels; however, the more mischievous participants dressed as demons or evil spirits.

Halloween Costumes and Traditions Evolve

The Halloween tradition as we know it today began in the 19th century, especially after Irish and Scottish immigrants brought their customs to North America. By the late 1800s, Halloween parties, parades, and costumes became more popular. In the early 20th century, wearing costumes became very important. This was when store-made costumes became available. People of all ages started dressing up for the holiday.

The tradition of trick-or-treating comes from the old practice of “souling” and another custom called “guising,” in which children carried lanterns made from carved turnips and dressed in costumes to perform for food or money. In the 1800s, the Irish and Scottish brought their customs to the United States. 

By the 1920s and 30s, asking for candy from house to house became a widespread Halloween activity for children. The phrase “trick or treat” refers to a playful threat: children ask for a treat (usually candy), or they’ll perform a trick, often a harmless prank—and the tradition became one of Halloween’s defining features.

Pumpkins Replace Turnips and Potatoes

Carved pumpkins, or jack-o’-lanterns, became part of the Halloween tradition in the 19th century after Irish immigrants brought the practice to North America. The tradition of carving vegetables to ward off spirits dates back to ancient Ireland and Scotland, where people carved turnips or potatoes into grotesque faces, lit them with candles, and placed them in windows or doorways to frighten wandering spirits during Samhain. Later, children carried turnip lanterns when engaging in “guising.”

The term “jack-o’-lantern” comes from an old Irish folktale about Stingy Jack, who tricked the Devil and was condemned to roam the earth with only a burning coal inside a hollowed-out turnip to light his way. When Irish immigrants arrived in America, they found that pumpkins, native to the New World, were larger and easier to carve than turnips, and so the tradition of the jack-o’-lantern shifted to pumpkins. By the late 1800s, carved pumpkins were a popular part of Halloween celebrations in the U.S., and they have since become one of the holiday’s most iconic symbols. 

Because of the larger size and softer texture of the treasured Halloween squash, pumpkin carving, which now has its own special pumpkin carving tools, has evolved into an elaborate art form. Intricate designs range from spooky faces to detailed scenes inspired by pop culture. 

Pop Culture’s Influence on Halloween Costumes (and the Shift from Scary to Playful)

As noted previously, the tradition of spooky or supernatural-themed costumes ties back to Halloween’s connection with death, spirits, and the afterlife. Although the ancient Celts dressed to disguise themselves from wandering ghosts, modern costumes were not created to spook spirits, so they went from practical (as practical as animal skins and antlers can be) to playful.

Goblins, witches, vampires, and monsters became popular choices, further echoing the dark themes of the holiday season. Hollywood films began shaping popular culture in the 1920s and ‘30s. Iconic characters from horror films such as Frankenstein, Dracula, and The Mummy became Halloween staples, continuing the supernaturally themed costume trend.

While these spooky costumes dominated Halloween in its earlier traditions, the 20th century saw a dramatic shift in costume trends, primarily due to the rise of pop culture. Several key factors contributed to this shift. However, as the film industry expanded, so did the range of costumes, including characters from sci-fi and fantasy genres.

The emergence of superhero comics in the 1930s and their surge in popularity in the 1950s and ‘60s played a considerable role in diversifying Halloween costumes. Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman costumes became popular. This change marked a shift from dressing as scary creatures to wearing outfits of fictional heroes.

By the 1960s and ‘70s, television significantly influenced Halloween costumes. Characters from cartoons and TV shows, like the Flintstones, Scooby-Doo, and later Star Wars characters in the 1980s, became trendy Halloween choices. Kids and adults wanted to dress up as their favorite TV and movie heroes, from princesses to robots.

Companies like Ben Cooper Inc. (founded in the 1930s) and the Collegeville Costume Division of the Collegeville Flag and Manufacturing Company (1930s to 1996) made it easier for families to purchase ready-made Halloween costumes. As a result, costumes based on comic book heroes, TV shows, and movies became widely accessible. By the 1980s and ‘90s, licensed costumes from blockbuster films (like Ghostbusters or Disney princesses) began to dominate the Halloween market.

Today, Halloween costumes often feature the year’s most popular trends, including characters from video games, reality TV, and internet memes. The internet and social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest let people showcase their costume creativity. 

While Halloween costumes originated as a way to disguise oneself from spirits, they’ve evolved into a celebration of creativity and personal expression. Pop culture has significantly expanded costume choices, turning Halloween into a holiday that reflects both spooky traditions and modern entertainment trends.

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