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Meaning of Halloween Symbols
 By Nataly ZABOLOTNA (Kyiv Linguistic University)
 Jack-O-Lanterns
The tradition of carvingpumpkins originated from anIrish legend of StingyJack, doomed to wanderendlessly through darknights with only a burningcoal in a turnip that hadbeen hollowed out forlight. People would carvescary faces into turnipsand place them in their windows to keep “Jack of theLantern” away. Immigrants to theUnited States began using nativepumpkins rather than turnips, andthe practice continues to this day.
Black Cats
Black cats have long been considered tobe spiritual animals. Superstitionslink them to witches, being able tosense good and evil spirits, evenbeing incarnations of peoplethemselves. Given the old beliefs that ghosts couldreturn to earth and supernatural powers were strongeston the night of Halloween, black cats naturally becameassociated with thisholiday.
Witches
Witches were believed tocast spells and commune
 
with black cats, as well as consort with the devil. Dueto the ancient beliefs that spirits of the dead couldreturn on Halloween, it was thought that their powerwould be stronger on that night. Many superstitionspersisted about witches, including one which involvedwearing clothing inside out and walking backwardsoutside in order to see a witch flying through the skyat midnight on Halloween.
Bats and Owls
As bats and owls are nocturnal,both of these animals quicklybecame known as omens of bad luck orevil and associated with AllHallow's Eve. At one time it wasbelieved that owls would swoopdown on Halloween night and eatthe souls of the dying, andpeople could be protected from this by pulling out theirpockets and leaving them hanging out. Bats were thoughtto indicate the presence of spirits or ghosts. Onesuperstition held that if a bat flew around a housethree times on Halloween, death would be coming soon.
Ghosts and Skeletons
The origins of Halloween arerooted in the ancient Celticcelebration of Samhain (pronouncedsow-en), held on the eve of theirnew year November 1st. Theybelieved that the spirits of thedeparted could return to earth asthe boundary between the lands ofthe living and the dead wereblurred during this time. So it isnatural that Halloween imagerywould include representations ofspirits and death.
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