'Tis now the very witching time of night,When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes outContagion to this world. ~ William Shakespeare, Hamlet

Halloween Tricks and Treats: Rituals, Traditions, and Folklores

By: Roy Chan

Date: October 28, 2008

(not October 31, 2008…muhahahaha!!!!)

__________________________

Question: According to ancient superstitions, if you stare into a mirror at midnight on Halloween, what will you see?

ANSWER: YOUR FUTURE SPOUSE

History and Origin• Started 2,000 years ago in Ireland on

November 1 during Celtic period• Celtic celebrated Samhain (Celtic New

Year at end of harvest season)• Halloween = All Hallows Even, or All

Saints Day

Halloween Comes to America

~ Began early 1800s when European immigrated to America

~ Immigrants from Ireland came to America to promote Halloween through play parties, telling stories, dancing, and singing

~ Trick-O-Treating = Community + Love

Rituals and Traditions in Ireland• In Ireland, adults and children would dress up as

ghosts, witches, or zombies and celebrate near a bonfire and firework displays

• Barmbrack is a traditional Halloween cake (fruit bread) eaten in Ireland

• Used as fortune tell games, where each item carries a meaning to the person

~ At lunch, the Colcannon (mashed potatoes and cabbage) is usually eaten.

Apple Bobbing/Bobbing for Apples

• First played during Samhain festival in Celtic times• Players grab apples only by their teeth• In Scotland, they call this game ‘Ducking for Apples’• Apples were once associated with love• Still played today

Folklores Maryland: See Future Spouse on Halloween

• If you walk around your house three times with a mouthful of water in your mouth on Halloween, the first person who you meet will be your future spouse.

• If you walk into a room backward at midnight on Halloween and look at your left shoulder, you will see your future spouse.

• If you are born on Halloween, you will see your spouse in your dreams.

Halloween Films in America

Halloween Books in America

“I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion.” 

~ Henry David Thoreau, American author

Fun Facts• The jack-o-lantern tradition comes from an

old Irish folk tale about a man named Stingy Jack.

• 86% of Americans decorate their homes at Halloween

• In the movie “Halloween,” the mask worn by Michael Meyers is actually the mask of William Shatner (Captain James from Star Trek)

• Famous magician Harry Houdini died on Halloween, 1926 in Detroit, Michigan.

!!HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!