Mono Monday: Origins

The origins of Hallowe'en have been a little obscured by the mists of time.  The name is a contraction of All Hallows' Evening.  It's an annual celebration observed in several countries on 31st October, the eve of the Christian feast on All Hallows' Day which begins the three-day observance of Allhallowtide, the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed believers.  Interestingly, St Luke's Church in Tiptree will be holding a 'Commemoration of the Faithful Departed'' during Thursday's Holy Communion in the first week of November.  We have added Dad's name to the list of those church members who have passed away and who will be remembered during the service.

Many historians believe that All Hallows' Eve is a Christianised feast influenced by Celtic harvest festivals, with possible pagan roots, particularly the Gaelic festival Samhain.  Others maintain that it originated independently of Samhain and has solely Christian roots.  One historian, Nicholas Rogers, notes that while "some folklorists have detected its origins in the Roman feast of Pomona, the goddess of fruits and seeds, or in the festival of the dead called Parentalia, it is more typically linked to the Celtic festival of Samhain, which comes from the Old Irish for summer's end".

Today's blipfoto was taken while Mum and I were out for our regular Monday hot chocolate treat this afternoon, and makes a horticultural change from the usual hollowed-out pumpkin lanterns.  We liked the mad 'hair' growing out of the top.


Many thanks to Nickimags888 for hosting today's Mono Monday on the theme of ORIGINS.