Welcome to Halloween

continue on… if you dare!

Will this be a trick, or a treat?

Maybe both!

Halloween, the word In pre-Christian Druid tradition,

November 1st was “Samhein” (New Year’s; Feast of the Sun), with fire celebrations on October 31st.

Early Christians adopted November 1st as “All Saint’s Day” to honor holy people close to God

All Saints > All Holy (sacred) > All Hallowed

October 31st is the eve (night before) All Hallowed Day

Hallowed’s Eve > Hallowe’en

Halloween, the history Spirits were supposed to come back

from the dead on October 31st.

People dressed in disguises to scare the spirits away.

In 9th century Europe, people begged for “soul cakes” (small pieces of cake) in exchange for saying a prayer for the dead.

Halloween, today Children dress in costumes, and beg for candy

from neighbors. At the door, they cry “Trick or Treat.”

Biggest time of the year for candy sales!

Parents are concerned about candy “tampering”; often unwrapped candy gets thrown away.

Adults often party, and often wear costumes.

Some ultra-conservative Christians oppose Halloween as the “devil’s holiday.”

Halloween, important terms

“Jack o’lantern”: a pumpkin with a face carved out, and a candle inside to light the face.

Vampire: from Romanian tradition, a dead person who continues to live if they drink human blood.

Dracula: The name of a vampire in an 1897 novel by English author Bram Stoker. Often shown with long teeth (fangs) and a black cape

Bats: Associated with Halloween because they are nocturnal; also, a form that Dracula turned into so he could fly, and get into rooms through small holes.

Black cat: thought to represent bad luck

Halloween, more terms Skeleton or skull: often used to show death.

Witch: a woman with supernatural powers, usually shown as a tall thin woman on a broom flying across the night sky.

Ghost: a “disembodied” spirit of someone who has died

Frankenstein: a monster made from parts of dead bodies brought to life by a lightning strike.

Werewolf: a person who becomes a wolf during a full moon.

Halloween traditions Dress in costumes

Have a party!

Go “trick or treating” (children only)

Give candy or small toys to trick-or-treaters

Ask about costumes (“What are you going to be for Halloween?” or “What are you going as?” or “What were you for Halloween?”)

Tell “ghost stories” or other scary tales

Carve a jack o’lantern

Now you try! What design would you carve

on a pumpkin to create a “jack o’lantern”?

Usually this is a face, but other designs are okay.