Halloween started more than 2,000 years ago with the Celtic festival known as Samhain. Celebrating the end of the harvest, it also signaled a period when the spirits of the dead could roam freely. As time went on and the holiday was influenced by Christians and Irish immigrants, it slowly turned into the trick-or-treating Halloween we know today. While many of the origins of the holiday are not as well-known today, check out these six fun facts about Halloween to broaden your knowledge.
6. New Year’s Celebration
Starting our list of fun facts about Halloween is how it used to be a New Year’s celebration. For the Celtics, November 1st was considered the New Year, transitioning from warm summer months to the cold winter months, often associated with the supernatural. Since spirits were thought to return to their homes on October 31st, Celts would hold rituals for the spirits to prevent mischief, like messing with crops or causing illness.
5. Candy Apples
Fifth on our list of fun facts about Halloween is the story behind candy apples. The true purpose behind the candy apple was to preserve the fruit, rather than a delectable treat. For centuries, fruit has been preserved in syrup. Though it should be noted that the candy apple was invented in 1908 by candymaker William W. Kolb in Newark, New Jersey. They were initially intended for holiday treats, but have since become Halloween staples along with candy corn, popcorn balls, and other name-brand sweets.
4. Soul Cakes
Next on our list of fun facts about Halloween is the purpose of soul cakes. In Medieval Times, people begged for soul cakes, rather than asking for candy in today’s world. “Souling” was the term for it as people would go door-to-door on Hallowmas, mumbling prayers for the dead to earn soul cakes. The action covered all the essentials, honoring the spirits while filling your tummy with sweets.
3. Black & Orange
Rounding out the top three fun facts about Halloween is the symbolism behind black and orange. While some may just think the colors are what was chosen, there is a backstory as to why orange and black are so important. In the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, black symbolized the “death” of summer, marking the end of that year’s growing season. Orange would represent the vibrant autumn harvest, blending the balance between life and death.
2. Costume Origins
Second on our list of fun facts about Halloween is the origin story of costumes. It may seem like a ploy today for stores to get you to spend money on elaborate costumes, but there was a reason for them in the past. Wearing costumes on Halloween was a way to disguise oneself from ghosts, since they were believed to roam the earth on Samhain. The costumes would trick the ghosts into believing the living were fellow ghosts, but have since turned into the wide range of fun and spooky outfits we wear today.
1. Carving Turnips
Last but not least on our list of fun facts about Halloween is carving turnips. Wait, turnips? Before pumpkins, another vegetable earned the job of being carved into. The Irish would carve faces into turnips, as it was believed to ward off evil spirits. The Celtic traditions made it across the Atlantic with Irish immigrants, though they chose pumpkins instead for their larger size and ease of carving. Today, pumpkins are the center of Halloween decorations, lining the porches and walkways of homes across the country.