Halloween (shorten from "
All Hallows' Evening") is derived from Old Irish meaning "
summer's end", celebrating the end of the "
lighter half" of the year n beginning of the "
darker half". it is also the
festival of the dead. the border between this world n the
Otherworld became thin, allowing both harmless n harmful spirits to pass through on this day.
it is celebrated on October 31, also named the "
Eve of"
All Saints' Day (November 1st). it is believed that wearing costumes n masks, disguising oneself as a harmful spirit is required to ward off harmful spirits. most christians believe that the tradition is far from being "satanic" n it holds no threat to the children, being taught about death n mortality. other christians feel concerned n reject the holiday because they perceive it as evil.