Celtic Cake
Celtic Cake
 |
US $36.00
The History of Celtic Halloween
The Halloween custom has come a long way from its origins in Celtic Ireland, transforming from people celebrating a serious Pagan holiday into a fun, kid-friendly holiday. The history of the Halloween custom probably won't end until the holiday itself dies out -- and that isn't going to happen anytime soon.
The ancient origins of the Halloween custom originates from 2,000 years ago, from a sacred Celtic festival called Samhain. Samhain was an important festival in Celtic culture, celebrating the end of a year, and representing the final harvest for farmers. Since Samhain signified the end of a year, Celts also associated it with human death. They believed that on the night of October 31st the ghosts of the dead were able to mingle with the living, because at Samhain the souls of those who had died during the year travelled into the otherworld. People gathered to sacrifice animals, fruits, and vegetables during this occasion. They also lit bonfires in honor of the dead, to aid them on their journey, and to keep them away from the living. On that day all manner of beings were considered to be in attendance, ghosts, fairies, and demons.
The Celts also believed halloween made it easier for Druids to make predictions about the future.
Christianity had spread into Celtic territory by the 800s. In an attempt to eradicate Samhain, Pope Boniface IV made November 1 All Saints' Day, making the Celtic festival a church-approved holiday. All Saints' Day was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas, and the night before All Saints' Day was called All-hallows Eve. In the year 1000 the Catholic Church made November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honor the dead. It was very similar to Samhain because they also lit huge bonfires. Christians would usually light big bonfires, dressed up in Halloween costumes (such as a saint or devil) and have parades, honoring the dead. During the celebrations, poorer residents begged for food. Families would give these residents soul cakes, a type of pastry -- but only if they prayed for their family's dead relatives. The church encouraged families to do this instead of leaving out food during the night. The church wanted to curb non-residents from entering the city and taking advantage of the free food. These were the origins of trick-or-treating.
When Europeans immigrated to colonial America in the 1700s they brought the tradition of Samhain-inspired Halloween. Halloween wasn't celebrated openly at first because Christians believed it was a pagan holiday, but it was openly celebrated in Maryland. The meshing of different ethnic groups, including the Native Americans, created a new form of Halloween, closely matching modern America's version of Halloween. The first official celebrations included public events celebrating the last harvest, where people would tell stories of the dead, read each other's fortunes, and dance. Halloween didn't truly become a holiday until the 1800s, when an influx of immigrants moved to America.
The celtic custom of Halloween surged into American tradition in the 1840's by Irish immigrants fleeing their country's potato famine, transforming into today's version of this popular holiday. At that time, the favorite pranks in New England included tipping over outhouses and unhinging fence gates. The custom of "trick or treating" is thought to have originated not with the Irish Celts, but with a ninth-century European custom called "Souling". On November 2, "All Souls Day", early Christians would walk from village to village begging for "soul cakes," made out of square pieces of bread with currants. The more soul cakes the beggars would receive, the more prayers they would promise to say on behalf of the dead relatives of the donors.
These were the origins of modern America's trick-or-treating tradition.All-hallows Eve, All Saints' Day, and All Souls' Day were celebrated for many centuries, collectively called Hallowmas. This holiday eventually turned into what we know today as Halloween. Happy Halloween!
About the Author
I am involved with a web-site that provides information about Flower Essences. Ever wondered what your Celtic Tree Astrology Sign is? Also, go here if you want some lovely (and free!) Screensavers of Happy Animals, Beautiful Flowers, etc.
My hobbies/pastimes/life include Astrology, Music, Reading, Sport, Cycling, Chocolate, My cat and a love for animals...our equals.
.
|
|
It Was A Cake $10 It Was A Cake |
|
|
The Cake $10 The Cake |
|
|
Cake $10 Cake |
|
|
Celtic Charm Ring Pillow $39.99 The Celtic Charm Ring Pillow, made of Irish-inspired white linen, will carry your rings with pride. The Celtic Trinity Knot in silver holds a green ribbon for the rings or ring pouches to be tied to. Features and facts:White linen ring pillow with lace trim, green ribbons and Irish inspired Trinity Knot charmMeasure 8"" squareCoordinates with the Celtic Charm Collection: unity candles, bridal garter, flower girl basket, guest book and pen set, cake serving set, Claddaugh cake topper and toasting glasses |
|
|
Weddingstar 1911 Celtic Charm Cake Serving Set $46.92 After 28 years Weddingstar Inc. has learned a great deal about making dreams come true. From traditional to contemporary today s Brides constantly search for accessories that reflect their personal style. Our extensive selection of Bridal products feature many exclusive designs inspired and manufactured by our talented staff. Hand finishing by skilled and experienced crafts people result in quality unique wedding accessories. Innovative and fashionable products are combined with perennial favorites. This ability to respond to changing needs has made Weddingstar a leader in the Wedding industry.The Celtic Trinity Knot is a universal symbol with historical significance dating back hundreds of years. Representing Eternity ... of Life of Nature and ... of Love this couldn t be more fitting for your wedding day. Our exclusive version of this Love Knot is at the heart of each accessory in this historically inspired collection. The delicate lace trim traditional white linen and medley of green ribbons combine to create a look with distinctive and sentimental charm. |
|
|
Weddingstar 6086 Traditional Celtic Claddaugh Cake Top $45.62 After 28 years Weddingstar Inc. has learned a great deal about making dreams come true. From traditional to contemporary today s Brides constantly search for accessories that reflect their personal style. Our extensive selection of Bridal products feature many exclusive designs inspired and manufactured by our talented staff. Hand finishing by skilled and experienced crafts people result in quality unique wedding accessories. Innovative and fashionable products are combined with perennial favorites. This ability to respond to changing needs has made Weddingstar a leader in the Wedding industry.This Glazed Porcelain Figurine has a Traditional Irish Wedding Blessing printed on the bottom surface of the base. May your hands be forever blessed in friendship and your hearts joined forever in Love. . 1 .5 x 4 .75 inch H |
|
|
Celtic Charm Flower Girl Basket $49.99 The flexible handle of the Celtic Charm Flower Girl Basket makes it easy for little hands to hold. Two Celtic Trinity Knots with sheer white bows and green ribbons make this basket adorable and traditionally Irish. Features and facts:White satin flower girl basket with sheer white bows accented with Celtic Trinity Knot charm on each sideMeasures 5"" diameter x 4"" highCoordinates with the Celtic Charm Collection: unity candles, bridal garter, ring pillow, guest book and pen set, cake serving set, Claddaugh cake topper and toasting glasses |
|
|
Celtic Charm Unity Candle $59.99 The Celtic Charm pillar candle features a traditional Irish Wedding Blessing, ""may your hands be forever blessed in friendship and your hearts joined forever in love"", framed with green, white and olive ribbon. The Celtic Trinity Knot is also displayed below the saying. The lighting candles complement the unity candle with white lace and green and olive ribbon topped with a single crystal. Features and facts:White pillar candle with traditional Irish wedding blessing accented with green ribbons, lace and a Trinity Knot charm are beautifully complemented by the white tapers with a medley of green ribbons and white laceTapers are sold separatelyPillar candles measure 3"" x 9""Coordinates with the Celtic Charm Collection: bridal garter, ring pillow, flower girl basket, guest book and pen set, cake serving set, Claddaugh cake topper and toasting glasses |
|
|
Celtic $209.99 Celtic - Wall Tapestry |
|
|
Celtic FC - Classic Celtic $5.99 Celtic FC - Classic Celtic |
|
|
Cake Mania $9.99 Cake Mania |
|
|
Moon Cake $6 Moon Cake |
|
|
Cake Boy $13.99 Cake Boy |
|
|
Layer Cake $8.99 Layer Cake |
|
|
Cake Eaters $4.99 Cake Eaters |
|
|
The Cream of the Cake $14.99 The Cream of the Cake |
|
|
Celtic Bead $58 Celtic Bead |
|
|
Celtic Shamrock $10 Celtic Shamrock |
|
|
Celtic Cross $10 Celtic Cross |
|
|
Wedding cake toppers on cake $19.99 Jamie Grill Wedding cake toppers on cake - Photographic Print |
This entry was posted on Saturday, December 27th, 2008 at 8:02 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.