This Halloween, let’s look at some worldwide followed traditions and the history behind them!

So, let’s get right into it!!

1. Jack-O’-Lanterns

Whenever one thinks about decorating the house on Halloween, the first thing that comes to mind is craved pumpkin. But, did you know that initially turnips were used and that they originated from Ireland!? Yes!

This creepy Jack-O’-Lantern is said to be based on a legend about a man, Stingy Jack. He trapped the devil repeatedly and let the devil go on a condition that Jack would never go to hell. After his death, he found that his soul was not welcomed in Heavens. He had no other option than wandering as a ghost on this earth for eternity. Devil then gave the soul a lump of burning coal in a carved-out turnip to light his way.

 But now, in the long run, people have begun to carve creepy, scary faces on pumpkins( to fend off evil spirits!

check out our article about Horrifying Halloween legends and folklore here!

2. Wearing ghost outfits

Halloween is undoubtedly incomplete without spooky crazy costume parties! This is perhaps the most followed one. The history is said to be that when in Samhain the earth will have ghosts wandering, ready to terrorize the beings, Celts creatively will confuse and fool them by dressing themselves as spirits. Ghosts will mistake them and leave them alone!

 Traditionally they were designed after figures such as evil witches, skeletons, vampires, etc. In the long run, costumes are modeled after characters from fiction, celebrity, etc.

3. Trick-or-Treating

There are arguments when it comes to the origin of Trick-or-Treating. As per one leading theory, during the festivals of Samhain, Celtic people used to keep foods and drinks outside their homes to please or satisfy the spirits wandering there. Soon after, people began wearing spooky dresses, and now children could be seen dressing as these supernatural creatures, receiving similar drinks and food.

4. Apple Bobbing

Bobbing for apples is a famous and fun game played during Halloween parties. A tub or large basin is filled with water and apples. Since apples are less dense than water, they will eventually float. Players then have to try to pick apples with their teeth. The origin of these games takes us back to a time when Roman invaded the British Isles, and the army blended their festivals with Celtic festivals. Something similar happened with the Pomona festival. A part of the Roman festival, the Courting ritual is celebrated to honor Pomona, goddess of abundance and agriculture. During the celebration, unmarried youth tried to bite an apple floating in the water. There were variations, but the essence was the same; available people could tell their future relationship based on the game. It was merged with Samhain, which happened at a similar time. 

5. Lighting Bonfires

 Imagine sharing spooky stories while lighting a bonfire…This has to be the most exciting tradition! The idea of a bonfire is to scare the ghosts away. Though in ancient English culture, the bonfire was used to determine the death of a person (by throwing the stone in ash, if not visible the next day, the person who threw it, was assumed to die in a year) but now it’s just a fun part of a beautiful memory we have with our friend and family.

6. Decorations with black and orange

Black and orange are the “classic” colors of Halloween. Here, black represents death while autumn harvest season is symbolized by orange.

No doubt, these few traditions tell us how exciting Halloween can be!

Oh, by the way, HAPPY HALLOWEEN out there! (to the ghosts too)