Why on Halloween do they say trick or treat? Halloween is one of the most exciting and long-awaited nights of the year. For their fans, halloween traditions They are loaded with symbolism and fun. This traditional festival, which has its deepest roots in countries like the United States and Canada, has known how to spread over the centuries and today we can say that it is almost a universal celebration.
The true story of Halloween It originates thousands of years ago, with the festival of Samhain, in which the Celts celebrated the end of summer and gave thanks for the harvest. It was also the day when the living and the dead gathered on the same plane to celebrate a night of union.
At present, the symbolism is maintained, but endowed with other ingredients that make the fun halloween for kids and the smallest of the home. Today in Supercurioso we tell you about why on Halloween they say trick or treat and what is the symbolism of this sugary tradition. Join us!
Why on Halloween do they say trick or treat? The origin of the tradition
If you live or have spent a Halloween in the United States or Canada, you will know what we are talking about. Also if you have seen any of the classics halloween movies and it is that one of the scenes that best defines this festivity, is that of the trick or treat.
Dozens of children take to the streets, accompanied by their parents or older siblings. Everyone is dressed as witches, skeletons, zombies or the most varied monsters. Sinister makeovers also take place on Halloween.
The dynamic is simple: the little ones go knocking on the doors of their neighbors, asking for the emblematic candies and sweets to the voice of this sentence. But why on Halloween do they say trick or treat? What is the origin of this expression? Although many associate the practice with the capitalist or consumer system, the reality is that it has a much more ancient origin.
1. The festival of Samhain
Before delving into why they say trick-or-treating on Halloween, it is necessary to understand the context of its emergence. Far from being an invention of modern marketing, the celebration of Halloween finds its origins thousands of years ago.
Celtic tradition established that on the last night of October the arrival of the dark time was celebrated, the shortest days of the year, once the harvest was over. For the Celts, this was the moment when the world of the living and the world of the dead were connected and the deceased could somehow reach the present.
Then, The Celts celebrated meeting good spirits, but they also paid special attention to guarding against bad ones. That was how they began to dress up; dress as demons, spirits and deceased, with the illusion that if by chance they met one, seeing them in disguise, they would think they were one of them and they would not be attacked.
Dressing up was a defense mechanism. With the arrival of the Catholic Church, the festival of Samhain was replaced by the festival of All Saints (All Hallows Day) and the eve was called “All Hallows Evening” which over time was shortened and derived in the term Halloween, which remains to this day.
2. When did the candy tradition begin?
But why on Halloween do they say trick or treat? When did the candy tradition begin? Well, it was during the distant Middle Ages, when the children and adults, with few economic resources, They began to dress as demons, deceased or spirits, going from door to door.
These groups offered to say prayers or sing songs to appease beings from beyond, in exchange for food. Later, what was given to these people, usually children, was the so-called “soul cake” or “soul cake”.
If they were not welcome in the house, they used to threaten its inhabitants with future misfortunes. From there, the idea of that exchange arose: if you do not give me food or sweets so that I pray for the souls of the deceased, you will receive a “scare”, since misfortune will reach you.
In some parts of Europe, people in disguise did not offer to pray, but represented the deceased themselves and, by giving them food or sweets, it was believed that the souls of the dead were appeased.
3. The first time the expression trick or treat was used
As we have seen, why they say trick or treat on Halloween has to do with an ancient tradition in which few economic resources, hunger and symbolism esoteric they join.
The first reference to this expression is found in the Alberta Canada Herald on November 4, 1927. In this edition, we talk about the fun that Halloween entails and about the children who wait for their inhabitants at the doors of the houses to the voice of «trick or treat», that is, «joke or sweets», so that these, fun, give them trinkets.
The term “Trick or Treat” was really popularized from a UNICEF campaign in 1950. As a way to help children who were still affected by World War II, this organization created boxes of trinkets that were bought by adults to give to children. With this system, millions of dollars have been raised for children each year.
The tradition of Trick or Treating came to the United States and Canada from European immigrants, but was practically forgotten for a long time, until it was reborn and became popular at the beginning of the 20th century.
It continued to be celebrated, except for a small lapse during World War II, when the lack of sugar practically prevented the celebration. Currently, it is one of the great traditional US holidays and Canada.
And you, Did you know why on Halloween they say trick or treat? Do you also celebrate Halloween? Are you one of those who displays creativity with the most amazing costumes? Or rather of those who ignore this holiday? Leave us all your opinions in a comment. We will be looking forward to reading you! And if you want a little more inspiration, do not miss this selection of the best books to read on halloween.