Sure, we all know about Halloween costumes and how fun it is to dress up as monsters, but there’s so much more to enjoy about Halloween. For example, did you know the first jack-o-lantern was actually made from turnips? Crazy! To make sure you have all the information needed to fully appreciate this fine holiday, the following is a list of fun facts that have to do with Halloween:
- The word “witch” comes from the Old English wicce, which means “wise woman.” According to history books, wiccan were respected members of society, holding one of their two main meetings on Halloween night.
- In Medieval Europe, people believed owls were disguised witches, and an owl’s call meant someone was about to die.
- The largest pumpkin on record was grown by Norm Craven, whose pumpkin weighed 836 pounds.
- Before today’s trick-or-treating, people went “souling,” which involved the poor going door-to-door to offer prays in exchange for cakes.
- In a study, 50% of children prefer to receive chocolate for Halloween candy, while 24% prefer sugar-based candy and 10% prefer gum (surprising, I know).
- Samhainophobia is the fear of Halloween.
- Many historians believe Ireland is the birthplace of Halloween.
- Throughout time, Halloween’s name has changed, including All Hallows’ Eve, Witches Night, Lamswool, Snap-Apple Night, Samhaim, and Summer’s End.
- Superstitious rumors claim that walking backwards while wearing clothes inside out on Halloween will make a witch appear at midnight.
- Salem, Massachusetts, and Anoka, Minnesota, both claim to be the Halloween capitals of the world, with neither coming to an agreement.
- Boston, Massachusetts, neighbor of Salem, holds the record for most jack-o-lanterns lit at once, setting the record at 30,128.
- The act of dressing up in Halloween costumes is believed to have come from the Celtic tradition of people disguising themselves as evil spirits. The Celts did this so as to escape notice from actual spirits wandering the streets during Samhain, a holiday that influenced today’s Halloween.
- Scarecrows, the ever-popular Halloween decoration, began as a symbol of ancient agricultural roots, marking the end of the harvest season.
- Orange and black are the traditional Halloween colors. Orange symbolizes strength and endurance, representing the autumn harvest. As for black, this color often symbolizes death and darkness, a reminder that Halloween once marked the start of winter, a period of strife and struggles.
Of course, these are only some of the countless facts involved with such a complicated holiday as Halloween, which has a history going back some thousands of years. But if anyone asks you, “What do you know about Halloween?” you can blow their mind with how much you know, now.
To learn more fun Halloween facts and to check out great Halloween costumes and decorations, check out FrightCatalog.com!