All Saints Eve & All Saints Day
Why are we lighting candles on the graves this weekend in Sweden?
The tradition of lighting candles on graves during All Saints' Day is very old and has its origins in pre-Christian Celtic customs.
It was believed that the deceased returned home at the end of summer and the beginning of winter and needed to be guided by candles and fires.
Over the past century, All Saints' Day has grown into an important family holiday where we remember, honor and include our departed relatives and friends by decorating and lighting candles to watch over loved ones' graves.
Halloween has its roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain.
The Celts lived around 2000 years ago mainly in Ireland, Great Britain and northern France. The first of November marked the beginning of the new year, and the 31st of October therefore celebrated the festival of Samhain. The festivities marked the end of summer and the start of the dark winter season.
The traditions came to the United States with the many Irish who emigrated from Ireland during the mid-1850s due to the so-called Irish Potato Blight, when destroyed potato crops led to a nationwide famine. In the USA, the custom of going "trick or treat" between neighboring houses also started as well as honoring those who are no longer with us. The October 31 has also become Swedish children's day where they dress up as ghosts and in scary costumes for "trick or treat".
