ALL HALLOWS Meaning and
Definition
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All Hallows refers to the Christian feast of All Saints' Day, celebrated on November 1st, as well as the preceding evening, known as All Hallows' Eve or Halloween. The term "All Hallows" is derived from Middle English, combining the word "all" meaning "every" or "entire," and "hallows," which in Old English signifies "saints" or "holy ones." In the Christian tradition, All Hallows is a time to honor and remember all the saints and martyrs who have died and attained heaven. It is a day to venerate those who have led exemplary lives, displaying great faith and virtue.
All Hallows' Eve, or Halloween, is often observed with various customs and traditions, including dressing up in costumes, carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns, going trick-or-treating, and telling ghost stories. These traditions have evolved over time and are influenced by both Christian rituals and ancient pagan practices.
The term "All Hallows" can also refer to the evening vigil of All Saints' Day, with its distinct associations and folklore. It is believed to be a time when the boundaries between the physical world and the spirit realm are blurred, allowing for spiritual encounters or supernatural beings. Thus, All Hallows is associated with themes of remembrance, honoring the departed, and confronting the unknown.
Etymology of ALL HALLOWS
The word All Hallows is derived from Old English. All comes from the Old English word eal which means all or every, and hallows comes from the Old English word halga meaning saint or holy person. Together, they formed ealra halgena mæsse which referred to the Christian feast day dedicated to all the saints. Over time, this phrase evolved into All Hallows Mass or All Hallows' Day, which eventually became known as Halloween.
