Halloween is many people’s favourite time of the year; decorations go up early in October, horror films are a night-in pick, and costumes become a popular topic of conversation. As of today (October 26th, 2021), Halloween night is only a few days away, so why not check your knowledge on the year’s creepiest night of the year?
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Here are seven spooky facts about Halloween-time, including the names of authors behind classic novels, the origins of the holiday itself, and more!
Halloween originated in Ireland
The origins of this widely celebrated holiday dates back to an ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The Celts, who lived around 2,000 years ago and mostly within the area we know as Ireland, the UK and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1st.
That day marked the ending of summer, as well as the beginning of the dark, chilling winter, it was a time of year that used to be associated with human death. Celts used to believe that the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurry.
On October 31st, they celebrated Samhain, when it was suspected that the ghosts of the dead would return to the Earth.
Pumpkins weren’t always used for carving
In the 19th and 20th centuries, it was more common practice to carve faces and eerie grins into turnips, rather than pumpkins (at least in Ireland and other Celtic regions).
It was said by Nathan Mannion, a senior curator at EPIC: The Irish Migration Museum who spoke to National Geographic, that “Metal lanterns were quite expensive, so people would hollow out root vegetables.”
Now, however, we tend to use pumpkins to carve into as they provide a bigger canvas for carvings, plus they are more plentiful during the latter months of the year.
Frankenstein was written by Mary Shelley
Everyone knows the story of Frankenstein’s monster, but may not know who wrote this iconic tale, or when.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was written in 1818, and is still an incredibly iconic story today as not only is the tale still being revamped, but the creature itself has been seen in multiple pop culture entries.
The narrative follows Victor Frankenstein who seeks to create new life via unconventional methods; this is the perfect story to sink your teeth into on Halloween, whether it be the original tale or a different version altogether.
Harry Houdini died on Halloween in the 1920s
Celebrated magician Harry Houdini, who was famous for his escapism acts, illusions and stunts, died on October 31st, 1926.
The famed magician passed away on Halloween due to peritonitis, which is an inflammation of the tissue that lines your stomach or abdomen.
Halloween was believed to predict the future
In Scotland, young girls used to believe that they could see the image of their future husband if they were to hang wet sheets in front of the fire on Halloween.
Others believed that they would see the face of their boyfriend if they looked into a mirror, or mirrors, while walking downstairs at midnight on Halloween.
Mexico celebrates Days of the Dead rather than Halloween
Mexico, instead of celebrating Halloween like many others around the world, celebrate Day of the Dead on the Christian holidays of All Saints’ Day (November 1st) and All Souls’ Day (November 2nd).
Townspeople will dress up like ghouls and ghosts and parade down the street in bright, fun celebration.
Jack O’Lanterns are named after an odd figure called Jack
If you turn to Irish legend, Jack O’Lanterns are named after a penny-pinching man named Jack.
It was thought that Jack tricked the devil multiple times, and was denied entrance into heaven and hell.
Jack was then condemned to wonder the Earth, parading his lantern around in order to lead people away from their paths.
Written by Melissa, who you can follow on Twitter @melissajournal
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