Free Articles

The ancient custom of wearing Halloween masks, just like Halloween itself, goes back to the ancient ritual called Samhain, the origins of modern Halloween. Unlike Halloween masks today, which are worn for fun and trick-or-treating, Halloween masks during Samhain were used for religious purposes, believed to protect them from evil spirits and ghosts. Halloween masks have evolved since those first ceremonies 2,000 years ago into a festive way to celebrate Halloween, with young children parading around in masks during trick-or-treat. Here are the true origins of Halloween masks and how they’ve evolved over the centuries.

Origins Trace Back to a Dark Celtic Festival

Halloween masks were first used in an ancient Celtic festival called Samhain, pronounced sow-in. Traditionally celebrated at the end of October, it signified the last harvest. Celts believed on October 31st, the realm between the dead and the living merged, which caused problems for the living. To combat that (and calm angry spirits) they built big bonfires, overseen by druids, and sacrificed animals, hoping to appease the dead. They also wore masks made from animal heads. They would don these crudely fashioned animal heads to mimic dead spirits. It was also used to appease angry spirits.

As Samhain developed into the Celts’ common holiday, Celts wore masks outside bonfire ceremonies. Celts even wore it before leaving the house, fearing for their own lives. This belief — that masks protected you from dead spirits — carried on for hundreds of years, even after Pope Boniface IV turned it into a Christian holiday called All Saints Day. Christians and pagans alike believed that evil sprits lurked in the night, ready to snatch innocent people if they weren’t disguised. These were the first origins of Halloween masks.

The Origins of Halloween Masks in Nineteenth Century Europe

By the 1800s Halloween morphed into a church-sanctioned holiday, centered on celebrating Christianic saints. People still feared ghosts and other spirits on October 31st, despite what the church said. This practice of wearing masks after nightfall was a tradition far rooted into human culture, dating back further than Samhain. Thousands of years ago humans wore masks after big disasters or droughts to scare off lingering demons. They believed that demons caused all major catastrophes, and that belief even existed in the 1800s. Merged with the practice of Samhain and All Saints Day, Europeans religiously wore masks during Halloween to protect themselves from evil spirits.

When the immigration boom hit America in the mid-1800s, European immigrants flooded American soil, bringing the tradition of Halloween masks with them. Their origins melded with the Native American-European origins, developing into modern America’s version of Halloween.

Origins of Modern Halloween Masks in America

Halloween was very taboo up to the twentieth century — most believed it was an evil holiday and refused to celebrate it. Most celebrations were very small, consisting of small parades and celebrations.

Problems developed during this time. Vandalism was rampant across America, mostly the work of mischievous, curious children. Eventually parents got tired of the vandalism, so they dug back to their Samhain origins and revived the use of costumes and masks. In 1920, Anoka, Minnesota was the first town to hold citywide celebrations with people in full-masked attire. Trick-or-treating grew out of this lone celebration in Anoka. Anokans believe the origins of modern Halloween came from their city, although that’s debatable.

From that point on, it developed into our modern version of masks, worn for fun during trick-or-treat. It wasn’t so fun in the days of the Celts, who feared for their lives, but over the centuries, these ancient origins developed into modern, fun versions. Now all Halloween is to us is fun and joy on the 31st of October.

Paul Hulse writes for the Halloween Costume online retailer www.incostume.com. Please visit their site for more information on Halloween Costumes

We all wear Halloween masks with our costumes for fun during trick-or-treat, but do you know where these masks originated from, such as the hockey mask or werewolf mask? Do you know the origins of the ever sinful witch mask? Not all originate from paganistic pasts. These are the true origins of popular Halloween masks today: the history behind witch masks, werewolf masks, and hockey masks.

The True History of Witch Masks

Witch masks actually do have a interesting and dark history. Europeans used to believe that witches gathered twice a year during two specific dates — which strangely enough, coincided with Celtic festivals Beltane and Samhain — and cause havoc for innocent citizens. These witches would ride on their wooden broomsticks and celebrate with the Devil, sometimes casting evil spells on unsuspecting citizens. With the rise of Christianity, Christians grew fearful of these evil witches, branding Halloween a holiday of the Devil. Christians also blamed the black plague on witches because they thought they cast spells.

During the first immigration in the early 1700s, European settlers brought those witchy beliefs with them. Native Americans believed in witches too, so that belief never died out. By the 1900s, when Halloween was turned into an acceptable, non-pagan holiday, children wore masks for fun. Little girls wore witch masks in particular, hoping to ghoul up some trick-or-treat fun.

The Hairy History of Werewolf Masks

The earliest history of werewolves is evidenced in Greek mythology. Legend goes that Lycoan and his fifty sons attempted to entertain the god Zeus with a hearty dish of human flesh. Disgusted, they were turned into werewolves. Another verse says than poor Lycaon scarified a child to the mighty Zeus on top of Mount Lycaeus. After the child was sacrificed, he was turned into a werewolf.

Werewolf folk literature was rampant throughout Europe, and when immigrants moved to America, they brought that hairy tale with them. Americans seemingly forgot this hairy history until John Landis produced a movie called An American Werewolf in London. This movie inspired pop star Michael Jackson, who turned into a werewolf zombie in his epic music video Thriller. Millions of fans later, children regularly wore werewolf masks during Halloween, hoping to spook a neighbor or two.

The Blood History of Hockey Masks

When children wear hockey masks for Halloween, it isn’t because they love hockey. It’s thanks to a movie called Friday the 13th.

Released in 1980, Friday the 13th was a classic Halloween horror movie set in a summer camp. After drowning in a lake, Jason Voorhees returns from the dead and decides to ruin summer camp for everyone. No hot chocolate this time!

Friday the 13th continued to have ghoulish sequels where Jason never seems to die (just like his Halloween counterpart Michael Myers), and young, innocent children emulated Mr. Voorhees by wearing ghoulish hockey masks — no machetes involved, of course. Instead of associating it with good ol’ Canadian fun, history associates hockey masks with Mr. Voorhees and fun times with a bloody machete. Happy Halloween!

Despite its evil connotations, however, these Halloween masks aren’t all bad. Although we feared these creatures in years past, it’s all just in the spirit of Halloween fun now. Or so everyone thinks.

Paul Hulse writes for the Halloween Costume online retailer www.incostume.com. Please visit their site for more information on Halloween Masks And Costumes

The Philippines is known as the text capital of the world. This is because the most number of messages being sent daily in mobile network servers are from the Philippines.

The proliferation and widespread use of SMS messaging in the Philippines began during the early days of the cellular phone craze in the country. In the beginning, mobile networks do not make charges for sending SMS. People have taken advantage of the service and made use of text messaging to communicate effectively with friends, family and acquaintances.

As time passed, mobile phones became more affordable in the Philippines. It is a common sight in the Philippines that even people belonging to below middle class can still afford to buy and own one. The existence of prepaid services also contributes to this, because people have an affordable alternative to the otherwise expensive postpaid options.

However, why is it that people in the Philippines prefer to use SMS messaging rather than calls to communicate?

In the past, networks charge calls by the minute. Even if you called for less than a minute say, 30 seconds, you would still have to pay the charge that a full minute call would incur. This, however, has been amended in present days so that networks now charge by the second.

In the past, people have found out that if what they could say in half a minute’s time can be fit into one 160-character message – Filipinos are known for using abbreviated words in text messages— then they can save a significant amount if they use SMS messaging. True enough, a Filipino saves seven pesos if they use text messaging in this context rather than calling. This practice still remains even if networks have made moves to reduce their call charges.

Filipinos have found several uses of text messaging. They use this to make friends, just to have fun. It is not unusual for someone in the Philippines to receive a message from an unknown number seeking a textmate. A Filipino teenager may use a cellular phone to woo the girl that he likes if he does not have enough nerve to confess personally. Text messaging is also used by a Filipino as a medium to share sensitive information without worrying about being heard by people he doesn’t want to know about.

Arranging and facilitating meet-ups between people has also been made easier by SMS messaging. For example, a person can cancel an arranged meet up even if the other party is already on the way. This benefit is one of the best advantages of SMS messaging over the traditional landline communication.

Because of the widespread use of SMS messaging, Philippine mobile networks have introduced an unlimited messaging service. Originally introduced by Sun Cellular, under these services a mobile user can send an unlimited number of messages within a timeframe by just registering using a certain amount. For example, Smart charges 25 pesos for a person to register to its Unli25 unlimited messaging service. In exchange a person can send as much messages as he wants until his hands tire, or his battery dies.

Are you living in the Philippines and wishing to buy or sell something within your area? Business opportunities await you, so come and visit MyMarket.ph.

Spring is the time for action. In April those who are used to delay and hesitate will have to make way for those who are bold and determined.

It looks like Fire Element zodiac signs - Aries, Leo and Sagittarius - will become true leaders this month. New possibilities will open for those who didn’t have enough resolution earlier to take various obstacles.

Mercury entering Aries on April 2 will give us lots of enthusiasm and desire to start new activities, however don’t be hasty until the New Moon on April 6. First week of April is good for finishing any old projects.

The planet of love Venus in Aries from April 6 will be favorable for making short term romances but not for a long-term love. Venus will make some “bad” aspects this month, so try to keep good relations with your family members and your loved ones.

Plan your new activities and projects on the New Moon day on April 6. Take action to implement your dreams and plans from April 8.

The period until the Sun enters Taurus on April 19 is the best for short term activities. If you want to start any long-term projects, start them when the Sun enters Taurus if that’s possible.

Below you can read April 2008 astrology forecasts for all zodiac signs.

Aries should focus their attention to relaxation or a spiritual growth before their birthday. You will feel great after your birthday celebration.

Taurus will feel great if they can take a vacation, get away from their job, spend more time in solitude. April is your relaxation time before your birthday.

Gemini will have a good time with their friends. Your friends and colleagues will help you to achieve your goals.

Cancer should do something useful for their career in April. Don’t miss a chance to talk to your boss about your promotion.

April for Leo will be successful. It’s a good time if you plan a long trip to a foreign country, especially if it’s related to science or religion.

Virgo can expect some important changes in their lives in April, so try to make wise decisions and act in order to achieve your goals.

Libra should try to keep good relations with their partners both at home and at work. Good time for buying some beautiful clothes you’ve always wanted.

Scorpio will have to deal with all sorts of obligations in April, so get ready to work hard this month, but don’t forget to take a good care of your health too.

April for Sagittarius will be great for relaxation, sports, various activities with your children and romance.

Capricorn should focus their attention to home and family. Forget about your career at least for several weeks.

April for Aquarius is great for all sorts of communication. It’s a good time for starting any short-term projects too.

Pisces can do some useful quick financial operations in April. At the same time try to avoid overspending.

Access weekly and monthly astrology tendencies for all zodiac signs. (This article may be freely reprinted as long as the entire article and this bio is included.)