Halloween is one of the most popular holidays in the world. It is celebrated in countries all around the world on 31st October and has centuries of tradition. From spooky costumes to trick-or-treating, there is a lot of fun to be had on this spookiest of nights. Here are the top 10 facts about Halloween that you should know!
1. The first ever Jack OโLanterns were made out of turnips.
Jack OโLanterns werenโt always made out of pumpkins.
They were originally made out of turnips!
Jack OโLanterns are meant to ward off unwanted visitors.
Spooky!
2. Halloween is on 31st October every year!
Every year Halloween is on 31st October.
Itโs on the same day every year.
So keep an eye out for those spooky costumes!
3. Trick or treating originated from โsoulingโ.
Trick or treating has been going on for a long timeโฆ but it hasnโt always been how it is today.
It is believed that trick or treating originated when something called โsoulingโ was done.
People would knock on doors for a โsoul cakeโ which was a small, round cake.
In return they would offer prayers.
4. Itโs a day to get the costumes out!
Get your dressing up boxes out because Halloween is THE day to dress up.
If youโre struggling for some ideasโฆ hereโs a list of costume ideas!
- Witch
- Zombie
- Skeleton
- Alien
- Vampire
- Mummy (the bandaged type!)
- Ghost
- Werewolf
What will you choose?!
5. Halloween used to be called All Hallowsโ Eve.
All Hallowโs Day, also known as All Saints day, was a Christian festival.
It was a day to remember the dead, especially saints.
To get rid of spirits, people would walk around with torches to scare them off!
This is where Halloween came from โ it was originally All Hallowsโ Eve (the day before All Hallowโs Day).
This then turned into Halloweโen and is now just known as Halloween.
6. Stephen Clarke has the world record for the fastest time carving a pumpkin.
We all love carving a pumpkin during Halloweenโฆ but it usually takes ages!
Stephen Clarke is a bit of a professionalโฆ he managed to get a Guinness World Record for carving a pumpkin in the fastest time.
He managed to do it in 16 seconds!
It even had a mouth, ears, eyes and a nose. Impressive!
You can see him below.
7. Black cats were originally believed to protect witchesโ powers!
Black cats have always been a Halloween symbolโฆ but why?!
In some countries, they were seen to bring bad luck and curses.
It was also believed that they were connected to witches!
We love black cats and think they have just been misunderstood.
8. The name Jack OโLantern comes from Ireland!
Halloween pumpkins are known as Jack OโLanterns.
The name originally came from Ireland.
It comes from an Irish folktale about a man called Stingy Jack.
Legend has it that at the end of the story, he only had a burning coal to light the way which he put inside a turnip.
Thatโs where the pumpkin tradition comes from!
9. The colours orange and black symbolise Halloween.
You will see a lot of orange and black during the Halloween season.
Itโs not just because pumpkins are orange!
Orange symbolises autumn and harvest whilst black symbolises darkness and death.
10. Halloween traditions originated with Samhain.
Samhain was an ancient Celtic festival around 2,000 years ago.
To ward off ghosts, people would light bonfires and even wear costumes!
โฆa bit like we do today!
This is where most of the Halloween traditions come from.
Hereโs Dan giving the other presenters a scary Halloween surprise!
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