Halloween is the one of the most captivating holiday, often celebrated by both adults and children, all across the continents. The elements of surprise make it fun and unpredictable. It's a festival history that has inspired by different cultures and traditions and transcended through ages, generations to generations. When we think of Halloween, our mind's playing that it is somehow connected to "souls" and "ghosts". It happens so gradually, spanning over manifolds years gone by, it leaves us puzzled and hardly come to know what the real root of everything is. It catches us unaware and blinds us from fantasies. Yet, doubts still lurk deep in our soul, especially when the reality differs from what has taken a deep seated root into our beliefs. Frightening stories, scary fantasies associated with ghouls, witches, and monsters. But, are these stories a mere myth or are they mix of some reality? Then why not enlighten yourself with these fast facts and unfurl yourself the age-old veil of mysticism draped around it to enjoy the holiday even more.

Behind the Name

Halloween, or the Hallow E'en as they call it in Ireland, means All Hallows Eve, or the night before the 'All Hallows', also called 'All Hallowmas', or 'All Saints', or 'All Souls' Day, observed on November 1. In old English the word 'Hallow' meant 'sanctify'. Roman Catholics, Episcopalians and Lutherians used to observe All Hallows Day to honor all saints in heaven, known or unknown. They used to consider it with all solemnity as one of the most significant observances of the Church year. And Catholics, all and sundry, was obliged to attend Mass. The Romans observed the holiday of Feralia, intended to give rest and peace to the departed. Participants made sacrifices in honor of the dead, offered up prayers for them, and made oblations to them. The festival was celebrated on February 21, the end of the Roman year. In the 7th century, Pope Boniface IV introduced All Saints' Day to replace the pagan festival of the dead. It was observed on May 13. Later, Gregory III changed the date to November 1. The Greek Orthodox Church observes it on the first Sunday after Pentecost.

The Colors

Orange and black are Halloween colors because orange is associated with the fall harvest and black darkness and death. Pumpkins also come in white, blue and green, great for unique monster carvings.

Jack o'Lantern

Originated in Ireland where people placed candles in hollowed-out turnips to keep away spirits and ghosts on the Samhain holiday. Despite this connection with the Roman Church, the American version of Halloween Day celebration owes its origin to the ancient (pre-Christian) Druidic fire festival called "Samhain", celebrated by the Celts in Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Samhain is pronounced "sow-in", with "sow" rhyming with cow. In Ireland the festival was known as Samhein, or La Samon, the Feast of the Sun.

Trick or Treat

Halloween candy sales average about 2 billion dollars annually in the United States. Chocolate candy bars top the list as the most popular candy for trick-or-treaters, with Snickers as number 1. Tootsie Rolls were the first wrapped penny candy in America.

Apples

Bobbing for apples is thought to have originated form the roman harvest festival that honors Pomona, the goddess of fruit trees.

-- By AI --