| − | '''Samhain''', Old Irish ''Samain,'' was a Celtic holiday prominent in Irish mythology. It was observed on November 1. This is also the date of [[All Saints' Day]], although the two holidays may have developed separately. Popular history associates Samhain with [[Halloween]], although Halloween arose in 18th century Scotland. In modern Gaelic, ''Samhain'' refers, not to this holiday, but to the month of November.<ref>Mark, Colin, ''The Gaelic–English Dictionary'' (2003).</ref> | + | '''Samhain''', Old Irish ''Samain,'' was a Celtic holiday prominent in Irish mythology. It was observed on November 1. This is also the date of [[All Saints' Day]], a closely associated holiday. Popular history associates Samhain with [[Halloween]], although Halloween arose separately in 18th century Scotland. In modern Gaelic, ''Samhain'' refers to the month of November.<ref>Mark, Colin, ''The Gaelic–English Dictionary'' (2003).</ref> |
| | The Celtic year was divided into halves by the holidays Samhain and Beltaine (May 1). These dates were once part of a Celtic lunisolar calendar. Even in the earliest surviving accounts, both dates have already transferred to the Julian calendar. | | The Celtic year was divided into halves by the holidays Samhain and Beltaine (May 1). These dates were once part of a Celtic lunisolar calendar. Even in the earliest surviving accounts, both dates have already transferred to the Julian calendar. |