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 O’Lanterns were made out of turnips.
Jack O’Lanterns weren’t always made out of pumpkins.
They were originally made out of turnips!
Jack O’Lanterns are meant to ward off unwanted visitors.
Spooky!
2. Halloween is on 31st October every year!
Every year Halloween is on 31st October.
It’s on the same day every year.
So keep an eye out for those spooky costumes!
3. Trick or treating originated from ‘souling’.
Trick or treating has been going on for a long time… but it hasn’t always been how it is today.
It is believed that trick or treating originated when something called ‘souling’ was done.
People would knock on doors for a ‘soul cake’ which was a small, round cake.
In return they would offer prayers.
4. It’s a day to get the costumes out!
Get your dressing up boxes out because Halloween is THE day to dress up.
If you’re struggling for some ideas… here’s 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 Hallows’ Eve.
All Hallow’s 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 – it was originally All Hallows’ Eve (the day before All Hallow’s Day).
This then turned into Hallowe’en 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 Halloween… but it usually takes ages!
Stephen Clarke is a bit of a professional… 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 witches’ powers!
Black cats have always been a Halloween symbol… 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 O’Lantern comes from Ireland!
Halloween pumpkins are known as Jack O’Lanterns.
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.
That’s 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.
It’s 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!
…a bit like we do today!
This is where most of the Halloween traditions come from.
Here’s Dan giving the other presenters a scary Halloween surprise!
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