Halloween Traditions and Symbols

Rich in tradition, Halloween has no shortage of symbols and terms. Halloween parties are not complete without lots of spooky decorations to set the mood. Here is a listing of Halloween traditions and terms, for your enjoyment and use.

All Hallow's Eve - Another word for Halloween night.

Bats - Bats are part of the dark, sinister side of Halloween. Bats are purported to suck the blood of victims. Bats can turn into vampires, and vice versa.

Black Cat - a symbol of bad luck. Don't let a black cat cross your path, or you will certainly come upon a string of bad luck. Black cats are associated with witches. Some witches are known to be able to transform to a black cat and back.

Dracula, Count Dracula - The evil lord of the castle in Transylvania. When the moon is full, Dracula turns into a Vampire.

Frankenstein - A monster created in the laboratory of scientist Victor Frankenstein. Frankenstein has a gentle and intelligent personality. But, you wouldn't know that. His scary, monstrous appearance causes everyone to run before getting a chance to know him.

Full Moon - Vampires arise out their coffins only at night and only during a full moon.

Garlic and Garlic Necklaces - ward off evil spirits. A vampire will not venture near the neck of a woman who wears a garlic necklace, no matter how beautiful she may be. The only problem is, normal, good lucking guys will avoid her, too!

Ghosts - There can be good ghosts or bad ghosts. They can be friendly, or terrifying. Ghosts are poor souls who have died and are trapped between this life and the next. The "in between" place is called the netherworld.

Ghoul - a ghoul is a scary creature, similar to a ghost. But a ghoul is simply scary and has little character. It wasn't previously a human being as a ghost was. And, unlike some ghosts, a ghoul is never friendly.

Goblins - similar to ghosts and ghouls.

Grim Reaper - is the fictional personification of death. He is dressed in a long, black robe with a hood. Sometimes you can see a skeletal face. The Grim Reaper carries a long handled scythe(or sickle). The Grim Reaper comes at death to take bad people to hell.

Halloween Costumes - If you are going to a Halloween party or out to Trick or Treat, you need to dress up in a costume. No costume, no treats. Halloween costumes can be friendly or scary, simple or elaborate. If you don't' have money for a costume, be creative and make your own from things around your house. Learn to think outside the box and you can come up with great costumes without having to spend a lot of money.

Haunted Hayrides - Wildly popular with pre-teens and teens. They will wait hours for their turn on a hayride to get a dose of scares and frights. They will go on the hayrides in rain (snow) or (moon)shine. Haunted Hayrides - begin in early October, and continue daily through the month. It's not a hayride if its not haunted. This hugely popular attraction is a boon to farms that host them. People will wait hours for their rides. They will venture out a haunted hayride despite cold, rain, and even snow!

Haunted Houses - Ghosts inhabit the house. There're bats in the belfry. Evils spirits abound. People avoid haunted houses for good reason except at Halloween. This time of year, people will shell out big bucks for the big scare.

Jack O'Lantern - also spelled Jack O Lantern - A pumpkin for carving. It's believed the Irish brought the tradition of pumpkin carving to America.

Lighted Pumpkins - Also lighted turnips and rutabagas. Scary faces are carved into pumpkins or other vegetables and a candle is lit inside. It is said that they help keep the evil spirits away.

Mummy - In some old and ancient cultures, a person who dies is embalmed and wrapped in strips of white cloth. During Halloween mummies come alive and walk around the earth, scaring people. Chances are they won't catch you. And, if they do, what could they do with you when they are all wrapped up from head to foot!?

Netherworld - A place, or passageway, between heaven and earth.

Paranormal - a strange or unexplained occurrence or incident. This includes ghosts, witches, crop circles, UFO and other unexplained events.

Pumpkins - We are proud to say that pumpkins are a huge symbol of both Fall and Halloween. They come in many shapes, sizes and colors. They look great carved, or uncarved.

Samhain - Is this a season, the Lord of Darkness, or the Lord of Death. Depending upon who you talk to, Samhain can be any, or all of these.

Scarecrows - Not everything about Halloween is scary. Scarecrows successfully cross over between fall decorations and Halloween. They are popular in decorating for both events, and are much friendlier for young children.

Spooks - A ghoul or a ghost. They take pleasure in scaring people.

Trick or Treat - Children go out dressed up in their Halloween costumes. They knock on doors, and say "Trick or Treat". If they do not get a treat, look out!

Warlock - A male witch of Halloween. Note, a warlock is not related to witches of the Wiccan religion.

Werewolf or Wolfman- a man that transforms to a wolf. More on werewolves

Wiccans - A religious group that call themselves wiccans or witches. They will argue vehemently that evil witches of Halloween do not exist.

Witches - Did you know witches can be good, and witches can be bad. We definitely distinguish a difference between witches of Halloween and witches of the Wiccan religion.

from che11eness at http://www.budget101.com/