Halloween Trivia Questions & Answers + FUN Facts (2018 Edition)

The Origin of Halloween

The origin of Halloween can be traced back to the Celts, a tribe that resided in Ireland
and Northern France. The Celts’ lives were dependent upon farming and thus, they
worshipped nature. The Celts were superstitious. They believed that the winter season
brought death. The last day of October marked the end of summer because November
was the beginning of winter. The Celts celebrated the last day of October and believed
the dead would visit them, so they left food and drink outside their homes for the spirits of
the dead. Halloween is thought to have originated around 4000 B.C., which means
Halloween has been around for over 6,000 years!

The Origin of the Word “Witch”

The word “witch” comes from the Old English wicce, meaning “wise woman.” The plural
for wicce is wiccan. Wiccan were highly respected people at one time. According to
popular belief, witches held one of their two main meetings, or sabbats, on Halloween
night.

Owls and Halloween

Owls are associated with Halloween because, in Medieval Europe, owls were thought to
be witches. To hear an owl’s call meant someone was about to die.

Jack O’ Lanterns
Jack O’ Lanterns are pumpkins with a lighted candle inside. According to Irish legend,
Jack O’ Lanterns are named after a stingy man named Jack who, because he tricked the
devil several times, was forbidden entrance into both heaven and hell. Therefore, he was
condemned to wander the Earth, waving his lantern to lead people away from their paths.

The Origin of Bonfires

During the celebration of Samhain, bonfires were lit to ensure the sun would return after
the long, hard winter. Often Druid priests would throw the bones of cattle into the flames
– “bone fire” became “bonfire.”

The History of Candy Corn

Candy Corn was invented by George Renninger, a candy maker at the Wunderle Candy
Company of Philadelphia in the 1880s. Candy Corn was originally called “butter cream
candies” and “chicken feed” because corn was commonly used as food for livestock.
They even had a rooster on the candy boxes. Candy Corn had no association with
Halloween or fall, and was sold seasonally from March to November. After World War II,
advertisers began marketing it as a special Halloween treat due to its colors that match
those of the fall harvest.

The History of Trick-or-Treating

Trick-or-treating has been around for a long time, with versions existing since medieval
times. Originally, it was called “guising” and children and poor adults wore costumes and
begged for food or money in exchange for songs or prayers during Hallowmas.
 Halloween Superstitions

 Scottish girls believed they could see images of their future husband if they hung wet
sheets in front of the fire on Halloween.
 Some girls believed they would see their boyfriend’s faces if they looked into mirrors
while walking downstairs at midnight on Halloween.
 If a person wears their clothes inside out and then walks backwards on Halloween, they
will see a witch at midnight.

Halloween Fun Facts

 More than 93% of children under the age of 12 go trick-or-treating.

 Orange and black are Halloween colors because orange is associated with fall harvest
and black is associated with darkness and death.
 Halloween is the second most commercially successful holiday; Christmas is the first.
 Chocolate candy bars top the list as the most popular candy for trick-or-treaters with
Snickers first.
 Pumpkins are not only orange, but also white, blue, and green.
 Black cats were once evil omens thought to be spirits of witches, or a witch’s familiar who
protected their powers.
 Vampires are mythical creatures who defy death by sucking the blood of humans.
 Vampire bats do exist, but they are not from Transylvania. They live in South and Central
America, and thrive on the blood of cattle, horses, and birds.
 The common little brown bat of North America has the longest life span for a mammal its
size – an average of 32 years.
 If you see a spider on Halloween, it is considered a good luck, as it means the spirit of a
loved one is guarding you.
 Hundreds of vampire clubs and societies exist and claim to have real vampires as their
members.
 About 50% of adults dress up for Halloween.
 86% of Americans decorate their house for Halloween.
 Over 10% of pet owners dress their pets in Halloween costumes.
 The first Halloween card was made in the early 1920’s.
 90% of parents admit to sneaking goodies from their kids’ Halloween trick-or-treat bags.
 The tradition of making Jack O’ Lanterns to ward off evil spirits is thousands of years old.
Jack o’ Lanterns originated in Ireland where people placed candles in hollowed-out
turnips to keep away spirits and ghosts on the Samhain holiday.
 Halloween was brought to North America by immigrants from Europe, who celebrated the
harvest around a bonfire, shared ghost stories, sang, danced, and told fortunes.
 The ancient Celts, who thought that spirits and ghosts roamed the countryside on
Halloween night, began wearing masks and costumes to avoid being recognized as
human.
 The fear of Halloween is known as Samhainopobia.