Kids ask for candy on Halloween as part of the modern tradition of trick-or-treating, which has roots in historical practices where people sought offerings while representing spirits.
The Evolution of Trick-or-Treating
The familiar Halloween activity of children dressing up and going door-to-door asking for treats, primarily candy, is known as trick-or-treating. This tradition didn't appear out of nowhere; it evolved over centuries from various customs observed around the time of Halloween.
Historical Connections
One significant connection links modern trick-or-treating to older European traditions. It is suggested that trick-or-treating evolved from a tradition whereby people impersonated the spirits, or the souls of the dead, and received offerings on their behalf. These offerings were often food or drink.
- Impersonating Spirits: Individuals would dress up, often in costumes that represented ghosts or other spectral figures.
- Receiving Offerings: They would go from house to house, receiving gifts or food on behalf of the spirits they were embodying.
The Demand for Reward
Author S. V. Peddle provides further insight into the nature of these early practices. They suggest that these impersonators "personify the old spirits of the winter, who demanded reward in exchange for good fortune." This highlights a transactional element – offerings were given not just as charity, but potentially in exchange for ensuring luck or warding off misfortune from the spirits during the challenging winter months.
Over time, these customs blended and transformed, eventually leading to the organized, child-centered activity of trick-or-treating we know today, where candy became the popular offering received.
Modern Practice
Today, the "trick" aspect is usually symbolic or a playful threat, and the "treat" is almost exclusively candy or other sweets. The historical link to spirits and good fortune is largely forgotten by participants, but the core action of going door-to-door in costume to receive treats remains.
