When we celebrate Halloween, what is it that we are celebrating?
Halloween is one of the world's oldest traditional holidays and also the most popular holiday aside from Christmas. Every year on October 31st, people take to the streets to celebrate with pranks, parties, costumes, and trick-or-treating.
The history of Halloween can be traced back thousands of years to the ancient Celtic New Year festival of Samhain. The name means "end of summer," and the festival marked the end of the harvest season and the arrival of winter. Commemorations of Samhain included stocking up supplies for winter, slaughtering cattle, and disposing of bones in "bone fires."
In 2017, a man representing the Winter King holds a burning sword during a Samhain celebration in Somerset, England. Photo by Matt Cardy
Samhain rituals arrived in the United States less than a century ago, and as they were infused with folk traditions, the basics of Halloween became widespread and "trick or treat" began to grow in popularity. On Halloween night, children don their costumes and ring doorbells to ask for candy. Trick-or-treating has become the most popular activity for children, and the Halloween candy craze has yet to fade; now, in the post-pandemic era, children are once again putting on all kinds of costumes to hit the streets, asking neighbors for candy and even playing a few "little pranks."
Children dressed up for Halloween in Jersey City, New Jersey. Photo by Bateman Archives
In Asia, Hong Kong is the true "Halloween Capital of Asia." Hongkongers, usually busy with work, take this opportunity to indulge in some wicked fun and relax the tensions of their fast-paced lives. During Halloween, witches, ghosts, skeletons, and various movie characters crowd the famous Lan Kwai Fong nightlife district for spooky parties, filling the streets with a festive, lively, and fun atmosphere. "Disney Halloween Time" at Hong Kong Disneyland also returns on schedule every year, as adults and children dress in carefully selected costumes to enter a wicked fantasy land, interacting with Mickey, Duffy, and LinaBell in their Halloween attire. There are also many traditional Halloween activities on the streets, and Disney musical performances continue the revelry throughout the park.
The most important part of Halloween is dressing up, and choosing accessories that match your character is of the utmost importance. Elements that might seem slightly edgy on a regular day become preferred choices, as exaggerated and unique costumes are the visual theme of Halloween. Skulls, crosses, and evil angels are all worn with the intent to become the most stylish trick-or-treater on the street.
The costumes and accessories people wear represent a fear of death and the unknown; on Halloween, when people become that very fear, it signifies that the fear has been mastered. And this is the true meaning of Halloween.
It is said that ancient Nordic magicians would use rituals and prayers to convey their wishes to the gods through Runes. Thus, Rune symbols possess the magic to make wishes come true. The Nordic energy jewelry brand AWNL has taken the lost ancient Nordic magical script—Rune symbols—and engraved them onto sacred crosses, using Muonionalusta meteorites with their unique Widmanstätten patterns as a foundation.
Every recorded civilization has created its own unique commemorative rituals. Holding an AWNL Interstellar Rune Cross Necklace interprets Nordic meditation, awakening the wearer's hidden potential while providing protective and healing energy.
AWNL Cross Pendant Swedish Meteorite Necklace
As time flows, only energy is eternal. Faced with the themes of life and death, energy will traverse time and space to guard and accompany you. AWNL, a Nordic jewelry brand specializing in meteorites and globally selected natural crystals, believes love flows with time and remains loyal to eternity.
Choose a unique piece of jewelry and go join your own Halloween party! Trick or Treat!
