DID YOU KNOW
created superstitions surrounding them being warnings of death.Now, once the celebratory bonfires had burned out, people would relight the fires in their homes from the sacred bonfire outside, to bring protection and warmth over the incoming winter.
Anyway, why do we carve pumpkins?
Carving pumpkins is one of Halloween’s most iconic traditions, but the custom originated with a different vegetable entirely – turnips. In 19th and early 20th-century Ireland, people carved turnips to honour the Irish folk tale of a man named “Stingy Jack”, which originated from the early 1600s. The story goes that he trapped the devil and would only release him on one condition: that he would not go to hell upon his death. However, when Jack discovered that heaven would not allow his soul to enter when the time came, he was doomed to wander the earth for eternity. Legend says that the devil gave Jack a burning coal to light his way, and Jack carved out a turnip to hold it.
Now, during the 19th century, when large numbers of Irish people emigrated to the United States of America, they found that native pumpkins were much easier to carve than turnips. And so, the modern jack-o’-lantern was born. Today, these glowing faces are carved to ward off wandering spirits on Halloween night, while also adding a festive flair to the doorsteps of houses wishing to partake in the celebration.
Now, why are bats symbols of Halloween?
During Samhain (pagan festival), bonfires were lit to honour the deities worshipped by the Celts. The heat from these sacred fires attracted bats, leading them to become a symbol associated with the festival. Subsequent folklore then superstitions surrounding them being
Anyway, what is the history of trick-or-treating?
The modern practice of trick-or-treating has its roots in various historical celebrations. A key influence was the British tradition of ‘souling,’ in which people – usually the poorer in society – would go door-to-door offering prayers for the deceased in exchange for food. From the Victorian period, people were given ‘soul cakes.’
Now, in parts of Yorkshire, October 31st was called ‘Cake Night’ for centuries, due to the observation of these traditions and the custom of making cake on this final night of the month. The tradition of ‘guising,’ in which people would dress up and perform door-to-door in exchange for food or money, was also prevalent in parts of Scotland and Ireland from at least the 16th century. When Irish and Scottish immigrants later arrived in America, this practice evolved into what we now recognize as trick-or-treating.
But what about the ‘trick’ in trick-or-treat? Mischief Night, which