Here are my Favorite "facts and legends" about Halloween...what's yours???
1. Black Cats Are Considered Bad Luck Because Of Witches
Why are black cats considered bad luck in the first place? Because they're associated with witches, of course! Around the time of the Salem Witch Trials and before then, people thought that a black cat meant that a witch was spying on you. And who knew what that could mean...
2.Owls Are A Halloween Image Because They're Associated With Witches
Owls are another animal that are usually associated with Halloween. This is because that in Medieval Europe, people thought owls were witches. Hearing an owl's call meant that someone was going to die. Spooky! And perfect for Halloween.
3.Black Cats Aren't Safe On Halloween
Because black cats are associated with witches and are considered bad luck, they are actually really not safe on Halloween. I'm sure you've seen warnings around the holiday to leave your black cat indoors on and around October 31st, or to give shelter to stray black cats if you see them. This is because things can get out of hand, and people will take black cats to torture or sacrifice them. Many shelters won't even let black cats be adopted around Halloween because they are so worried about this happening.
4.Seeing A Spider On Halloween Means Something...
Don't be scared if you see a spider on Halloween! Okay, maybe be scared because although this is sweet, it's also a little creepy. According to legend, seeing a spider on Halloween means that the spirit of a loved one is watching over you.
5. Halloween Costumes Come From The Celts
Halloween costumes are yet another part of Halloween that come from Celtic tradition. Because the Celts believed that Samhain was the one time of year when spirits could get into our world, they would wear scary costumes and masks during festivals to ward off and confuse these evil spirits.
6. The Origin Of Jack-O-Lanterns Comes From A Farmer Named Jack
Ever wondered why we call carved pumpkins Jack-O-Lanterns? As it turns out, they're named after a Jack! There was a Celtic folk tale of a farmer named Jack who always played tricks on the devil. Because of this, the devil forced him to wander purgatory with only a burning lump of coal from hell as his light. Jack put the coal in a turnip and used it as a lantern to guide his lost soul. In the 1800s, Irish families brought the myth over to America. Because turnips weren't popular in the US, people used pumpkins as a substitute to keep evil souls away from them. And now it's a super fun tradition!
7. Forms Of Trick-Or-Treating Have Been Around Since Medieval Times
Different versions of trick-or-treating have been around since medieval times. It used to be called "guising" or "souling," and it was when children and poor adults went around in costumes on Halloween begging for food and money in exchange for songs and prayers. It was brought to America by the Irish in the early 20th century, but became less popular during WWII when sugar was rationed. However, in 1947, children's magazines, a radio program and the Peanuts comic strip made the tradition popular again, and by 1952, it became trick-or-treating as we know it now.
And don't forget to do your favorite selfie on Halloween and send them to me so I can post them here on my blog!
1. Black Cats Are Considered Bad Luck Because Of Witches
Why are black cats considered bad luck in the first place? Because they're associated with witches, of course! Around the time of the Salem Witch Trials and before then, people thought that a black cat meant that a witch was spying on you. And who knew what that could mean...
2.Owls Are A Halloween Image Because They're Associated With Witches
Owls are another animal that are usually associated with Halloween. This is because that in Medieval Europe, people thought owls were witches. Hearing an owl's call meant that someone was going to die. Spooky! And perfect for Halloween.
3.Black Cats Aren't Safe On Halloween
Because black cats are associated with witches and are considered bad luck, they are actually really not safe on Halloween. I'm sure you've seen warnings around the holiday to leave your black cat indoors on and around October 31st, or to give shelter to stray black cats if you see them. This is because things can get out of hand, and people will take black cats to torture or sacrifice them. Many shelters won't even let black cats be adopted around Halloween because they are so worried about this happening.
4.Seeing A Spider On Halloween Means Something...
Don't be scared if you see a spider on Halloween! Okay, maybe be scared because although this is sweet, it's also a little creepy. According to legend, seeing a spider on Halloween means that the spirit of a loved one is watching over you.
5. Halloween Costumes Come From The Celts
Halloween costumes are yet another part of Halloween that come from Celtic tradition. Because the Celts believed that Samhain was the one time of year when spirits could get into our world, they would wear scary costumes and masks during festivals to ward off and confuse these evil spirits.
6. The Origin Of Jack-O-Lanterns Comes From A Farmer Named Jack
Ever wondered why we call carved pumpkins Jack-O-Lanterns? As it turns out, they're named after a Jack! There was a Celtic folk tale of a farmer named Jack who always played tricks on the devil. Because of this, the devil forced him to wander purgatory with only a burning lump of coal from hell as his light. Jack put the coal in a turnip and used it as a lantern to guide his lost soul. In the 1800s, Irish families brought the myth over to America. Because turnips weren't popular in the US, people used pumpkins as a substitute to keep evil souls away from them. And now it's a super fun tradition!
7. Forms Of Trick-Or-Treating Have Been Around Since Medieval Times
Different versions of trick-or-treating have been around since medieval times. It used to be called "guising" or "souling," and it was when children and poor adults went around in costumes on Halloween begging for food and money in exchange for songs and prayers. It was brought to America by the Irish in the early 20th century, but became less popular during WWII when sugar was rationed. However, in 1947, children's magazines, a radio program and the Peanuts comic strip made the tradition popular again, and by 1952, it became trick-or-treating as we know it now.
And don't forget to do your favorite selfie on Halloween and send them to me so I can post them here on my blog!
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