How is bobbing for apples related to Halloween?

Question

How was this tradition inspired?

Answer 1

The apple is one of the oldest symbols of the Great Earth Goddess.  Samhain (now known as Halloween) is the traditional Celtic new year celebration and in pre-Christian days, was celebrated by 3 days of feasting and activities.  I am not sure of the exact beginnings of the apple-bobbing, but one of the previous answers that suggested it was a way to foretelling who would marry in the coming year would certainly make some sense.

Answer 2

'Dookin' for apples originated in Scotland. Some sources say that the first person to catch an apple was believed to be the first to marry in the coming year.

A lot of Halloween customs originated in Ireland and Scotland, and bobbing for apples is one of the few that has retained its original character in the United States. And apples are so closely associated with Halloween that it is sometimes called 'snap-apple night'. Here is an 1833 painting called 'Snap-apple Night' portraying a celebration in Ireland:

http://www.kendallgiles.com/images/snap_...

Many people have speculated as to why apples are associated with Halloween, but in truth nobody is sure. Some have said that the ancient Roman festival of Pomona is responsible but this doesn't really wash for two reasons: 1) this goddess had no festival dedicated to her alone in the Roman calendar. She appears to have been a minor deity. 2) The ancient Romans had left England centuries before All Saints Eve (Hallowe'en) was established, and they never invaded Ireland (where Samhain was celebrated) in the first place.

It appears that apples were important to the ancient Celts as at least one Irish saga mentions a silver apple branch, and the name 'Avalon' means 'Isle of Apples'.

Like the customs of many other holidays, the origins of many folk customs are fuzzy. However, when you are bobbing for apples you can be sure you are keeping alive a tradition.

Answer 3

The Celts who lived in the area now know as Ireland celebrated the end of harvest time on November 1st. On October 31st they created Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth to damage crops and cause trouble. When the Romans conquered that area around 43 AD, 2 of their festivals eventually combined with the Celts' Samhain. The first was Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. The second was a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of "bobbing" for apples that is practiced today on Halloween.