Most Halloween festivities are based on folk beliefs concerning supernatural
forces and spirits of the dead. Halloween decorations typically feature imagery
associated with supernatural beings such as witches, werewolves, vampires,
and ghosts. Images thought to symbolize bad omens-such as black cats, bats,
and spiders-are also commonly featured in Halloween decorations.
The most celebrated Halloween decoration is the jack-o'-lantern, traditionally
a hollowed-out pumpkin carved to resemble a grotesque face and illuminated
by a candle placed inside. The jack-o'-lantern derives its name from a character
in British folktales. According to these tales, the soul of a deceased person
named Jack O'Lantern was barred from both heaven and hell and was condemned
to wander the earth with his lantern. Orange and black, colors associated
with pumpkins and darkness respectively, figure prominently in most Halloween
decorations.
Dressing in costume is one of the most popular Halloween customs, especially
among children. Traditional costumes usually represent witches, ghosts, and
other supernatural beings. However, costumes inspired by contemporary popular
culture, such as politicians or movie characters, have become increasingly
common in recent years. Adults often favor costumes with satirical or humorous
overtones.
Trick-or-treating is another Halloween tradition, in which costumed children
go from house to house soliciting candy or other treats from their neighbors.
According to this custom, children greet each homeowner with the cry "Trick
or Treat," suggesting that some sort of prank will be played unless treats
are provided. Formerly, trick-or-treaters vandalized the house if no treats
were produced or if the treats met with their disapproval. Since the early
20th century, however, the threat of tricks has been largely ceremonial.
Beginning in the 1970s, the practice of trick-or-treating went into a sharp
decline after unsubstantiated rumors spread about homeowners distributing
poisoned Halloween candy to children. Many parents also became concerned
about their children wandering through the neighborhood after dark. Today,
many parents accompany children when they go trick-or-treating.
In some areas of the country, costume parties have replaced trick-or-treating
as the favored form of Halloween entertainment. Hosts of these parties often
hold contests to select the best costume among the guests. Traditional Halloween
diversions have also enjoyed renewed popularity as party activities. For
example, many Halloween parties feature contests of bobbing for apples, a
centuries-old game in which contestants try to retrieve apples floating in
a tub of water using only their mouth. While children's Halloween parties
are generally held in private homes, many bars and nightclubs sponsor modified
versions of such festivities for adults. |
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Halloween
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