Halloween from QHP

At EQUUS we have a great collection of equestrian Halloween wear for horse and rider, all available with Free UK Delivery options! Shop the QHP Halloween Collection.

It’s creepy, mysterious and spooky and you’ve been celebrating it for years, but how much do you know about Halloween and where all the fun traditions come from. Be afraid…. be very afraid as we dive into the haunting history of Halloween!

When did Halloween start?

It may seem odd, but Halloween has a lot to do with the bible. Christians would honour the saints and the spiritual connection between heaven and Earth during All Saints Day on 1^st November. Halloween is inspired by the night before, which was known as “All Hallows’ Eve” that means “hallowed evening”. It was said that the line between our world and the afterlife was especially thin around All Hallows’ Eve. Harvest time, in particular, meant earlier nights, colder temperatures, and a difficulty in sustaining food, especially during the Middle Ages. Death was always lurking around the corner and spirits were said to freely roam around during October. This is why Halloween has the spooky, ghostly atmosphere we know and love today.

Why Do We Say Trick or Treat?

Trick or treating comes from the Celtic celebration of “Samhain”, a festival that marked the beginning of winter or the “dark half” of the year. The Celts lived over 2000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland. During the celebrations of Samhain, villagers disguised themselves in costumes made of animal skins to drive away phantom visitors, banquet tables were prepared, and food was left out to placate unwelcome spirits.

In later centuries, people began dressing as ghosts, demons and other malevolent creatures, performing antics in exchange for food and drink. This custom, known as mumming, dates back to the Middle Ages and is thought to be an antecedent of trick-or-treating.

By the ninth century, Christianity had spread into Celtic lands, where it gradually blended with and supplanted older pagan rites. In 1000 A.D. the church designated November 2 as All Souls’ Day, a time for honouring the dead. Celebrations in England resembled Celtic commemorations of Samhain, complete with bonfires and masquerades.

Poor people would visit the houses of wealthier families and receive pastries called “Soul Cakes” in exchange for a promise to pray for the souls of the homeowners’ dead relatives. Known as "souling," the practice was later taken up by children, who would go from door to door asking for gifts such as food, money and ale.

Where do Halloween traditions come from?

A bunch of strange traditions other than trick or treating exist for Halloween. Here’s where they all come from

Who came up with Apple Bobbing: The Romans created the tradition of bobbing for apples on Halloween. The origins are traced to a festival that honoured Pomona, the goddess of agriculture and abundance.

Why is pumpkin carving a tradition: The tradition of carving jack o’ lanterns comes from Irish lore. As the story goes, a man named Stingy Jack was trapped by the devil over and over again. When Jack died, his soul was too corrupted to make it to an angelic afterlife. He was gifted a lump of burning coal by the devil which he carried around in a turnip and used to ward off evil spirits.

Why do we wear costumes on Halloween?

The reason we wear costumes on Halloween goes back to the Celtic celebration of Samhain. The Celts would wear clever disguises so as not to be detected by the evil spirits, ghouls, and ghosts wandering around on Earth.

Why do we tell ghost stories?

Ghost stories go all the way back to the first century A.D. Greek and Roman authors scribed tales that were told orally around fires. This tradition continued into the Medieval Era and has since been part of many cultures around the world.

Why do we love Halloween?

Our brains actually enjoy being scared, which is why Halloween is so much fun. When we are watching a scary movie or visiting a haunted house, we know that we’re safe and free from risk. This allows us to enjoy the experience and get a rush of adrenaline and release of endorphins and dopamine in the process.

People have always had a fascination with the macabre and demented. It’s why countries around the world celebrate their own version of Halloween – from Día De Los Muertos in Mexico to The Hungry Ghost Festival in China.

So, if you’re at the right age, go out trick or treating and have a great time. If you’re not, why not dress up in one of Halloween outfits instead. Happy Halloween! 

QHP Collections

The Pumpkin Collection