Halloween is one of the world's oldest holidays and is still celebrated today in several countries
around the globe, but it is in North America and Canada that it maintains its highest level of
popularity. Every year, 65% of Americans decorate their homes and offices for Halloween...
Celebrating Halloween is second only to Christmas Celebrations. Halloween is the holiday when
the most candy is sold and is second only to Christmas in terms of total sales.
In Austria, some people will leave bread, water and a lighted lamp on the table before retiring on
Halloween night. The reason for this is because it was once believed such items would welcome
the dead souls back to earth on a night which for the Austrians was considered to be brimming
with strong cosmic energies.
The Belgians believe that it is unlucky for a black cat to cross one’s path and also unlucky if it
should enter a home or travel on a ship. The custom in Belgium on Halloween night is to light
candles in memory of dead relatives.
Modern Halloween celebrations in Canada began with the arrival of Scottish and Irish immigrants
in the 1800s. Jack O'Lanterns are carved and the festivities include parties, trick-or-treating and
the decorating of homes with pumpkins and corn stalks.
In China, the Halloween festival is known as Teng Chieh. Food and water are placed in front of
photographs of family members who have departed while bonfires and lanterns are lit in order to
light the paths of the spirits as they travel the earth on Halloween night. Worshippers in Buddhist
temples fashion "boats of the law" from paper, some of which are very large, which are then
burned in the evening hours. The purpose of this custom is twofold: as a remembrance of the
dead and in order to free the spirits of the "pretas" in order that they might ascend to heaven.
"Pretas" are the spirits of those who died as a result of an accident or drowning and whose
bodies were consequently never buried. The presence of "pretas" among the living is thought by
the Chinese to be dangerous. Under the guidance of Buddhist temples, societies are formed to
carry out ceremonies for the "pretas," which includes the lighting of lanterns. Monks are invited to
recite sacred verses and offerings of fruit are presented.
In Czechoslovakia, chairs are placed by the fireside on Halloween night. There is one chair for
each living family member and one for each family member's spirit.
At one time, English children made "punkies" out of large beetroots, upon which they carved a
design of their choice. Then, they would carry their "punkies" through the streets while singing the
"Punkie Night Song" as they knocked on doors and asked for money. In some rural areas, turnip
lanterns were placed on gateposts to protect homes from the spirits who roamed on Halloween
night. Another custom was to toss objects such as stones, vegetables and nuts into a bonfire to
frighten away the spirits. These symbolic sacrifices were also employed as fortune-telling tools. If
a pebble thrown into the flames at night was no longer visible in the morning, then it was believed
that the person who tossed the pebble would not survive another year. If nuts tossed into the
blaze by young lovers then exploded, it signified a quarrelsome marriage. For the most part
however, the English ceased celebrating Halloween with the spread of Martin Luther's Protestant
Reformation. Since followers of the new religion did not believe in Saints, they saw no reason to
celebrate the Eve of All Saints' Day. However, in recent years, the American "trick or treating"
custom, together with the donning of costumes for going door-to-door, has become a relatively
popular pastime among English children at Halloween, although many of the adults (particularly
the older generations) have little idea as to why they are being asked for sweets and are usually
ill-prepared to accommodate their small and hopeful callers.
Unlike most nations of the world, Halloween is not celebrated by the French in order to honour
the dead and departed ancestors. It is regarded as an "American" holiday in France and was
virtually unknown in the country until around 1996.
In Ireland, believed to be the birthplace of Halloween, the tradition is still celebrated as much as it
is in the United States. In rural areas, bonfires are lit as they were in the days of the Celts and
children dress up in costumes to spend the evening "trick-or-treating" in their neighbourhoods.
After the visiting, most people attend parties with neighbours and friends. At these parties, many
games are played, including "snap-apple," in which an apple on a string is tied to a doorframe or
tree, and players attempt to take a bite out of the suspended apple. In addition to bobbing for
apples, parents often arrange treasure hunts with sweets or pastries as the "treasure." The Irish
also play a card game where cards are laid face-down on a table with sweets or coins beneath
them. When a child selects a card, he or she receives whatever prize might be found there. A
traditional food is eaten on Halloween called "barnbrack." This is a type of fruitcake which can be
baked at home or store-bought. A muslin-wrapped treat is baked inside the cake which, so it is
said, can foretell the future of the one who finds it. If the prize is a ring, then that person will soon
be wed and a piece of straw means a prosperous year is forthcoming. Children are also known
to play tricks upon their neighbours on Halloween night. One of which is known as "knock-a-
dolly," where children knock on the doors of their neighbours but then run away before the door is
opened.
The Japanese celebrate the "Obon Festival" (also known as "Matsuri" or "Urabon") which is
similar to Halloween festivities in that it is dedicated to the spirits of ancestors. Special foods are
prepared and bright red lanterns are hung everywhere. Candles are lit and placed into lanterns
which are then set afloat on rivers and seas. During the "Obon Festival," a fire is lit every night in
order to show the ancestors where their families might be found. "Obon" is one of the two main
occasions during the Japanese year when the dead are believed to return to their birthplaces.
Memorial stones are cleaned and community dances performed. The "Obon Festival" takes place
during July or August.
Among Spanish-speaking nations, Halloween is known as "El Dia de los Muertos." (The Day of
The Dead)~ It is a joyous and happy holiday...a time to remember friends and family who have
died. Officially commemorated on November 2 (All Souls' Day), the three-day celebration actually
begins on the evening of October 31. Designed to honour the dead who are believed to return to
their homes on Halloween, many families construct an altar in their home and decorate it with
candy, flowers, photographs, fresh water and samples of the deceased's favourite foods and
drinks. Frequently, a basin and towel are left out in order that the spirit can wash prior to indulging
in the feast. Candles are incense are burned to help the departed find his or her way home.
Relatives also tidy the gravesites of deceased family members, including snipping weeds,
making repairs and painting. The grave is then adorned with flowers, wreaths or paper
streamers. Often, a live person is placed inside a coffin which is then paraded through the streets
while vendors toss fruit, flowers and candies into the casket. On November 2, relatives gather at
the gravesite to picnic and reminisce. Some of these gatherings may even include tequila and a
mariachi band although American Halloween customs are gradually taking over this celebration.
In Mexico during the Autumn, countless numbers of Monarch butterflies return to the shelter of
Mexico's oyamel fir trees. It was the belief of the Aztecs that these butterflies bore the spirits of
dead ancestors.
Despite having a large foreign population who are familiar with the Halloween traditions, in South
Africa Halloween has remained relatively unknown until as recent as 2007 when Halloween
merchandise started appearing in the supermarkets and shopping malls.
Back to Halloween Main
Halloween Activities & Printables
around the globe, but it is in North America and Canada that it maintains its highest level of
popularity. Every year, 65% of Americans decorate their homes and offices for Halloween...
Celebrating Halloween is second only to Christmas Celebrations. Halloween is the holiday when
the most candy is sold and is second only to Christmas in terms of total sales.
In Austria, some people will leave bread, water and a lighted lamp on the table before retiring on
Halloween night. The reason for this is because it was once believed such items would welcome
the dead souls back to earth on a night which for the Austrians was considered to be brimming
with strong cosmic energies.
The Belgians believe that it is unlucky for a black cat to cross one’s path and also unlucky if it
should enter a home or travel on a ship. The custom in Belgium on Halloween night is to light
candles in memory of dead relatives.
Modern Halloween celebrations in Canada began with the arrival of Scottish and Irish immigrants
in the 1800s. Jack O'Lanterns are carved and the festivities include parties, trick-or-treating and
the decorating of homes with pumpkins and corn stalks.
In China, the Halloween festival is known as Teng Chieh. Food and water are placed in front of
photographs of family members who have departed while bonfires and lanterns are lit in order to
light the paths of the spirits as they travel the earth on Halloween night. Worshippers in Buddhist
temples fashion "boats of the law" from paper, some of which are very large, which are then
burned in the evening hours. The purpose of this custom is twofold: as a remembrance of the
dead and in order to free the spirits of the "pretas" in order that they might ascend to heaven.
"Pretas" are the spirits of those who died as a result of an accident or drowning and whose
bodies were consequently never buried. The presence of "pretas" among the living is thought by
the Chinese to be dangerous. Under the guidance of Buddhist temples, societies are formed to
carry out ceremonies for the "pretas," which includes the lighting of lanterns. Monks are invited to
recite sacred verses and offerings of fruit are presented.
In Czechoslovakia, chairs are placed by the fireside on Halloween night. There is one chair for
each living family member and one for each family member's spirit.
At one time, English children made "punkies" out of large beetroots, upon which they carved a
design of their choice. Then, they would carry their "punkies" through the streets while singing the
"Punkie Night Song" as they knocked on doors and asked for money. In some rural areas, turnip
lanterns were placed on gateposts to protect homes from the spirits who roamed on Halloween
night. Another custom was to toss objects such as stones, vegetables and nuts into a bonfire to
frighten away the spirits. These symbolic sacrifices were also employed as fortune-telling tools. If
a pebble thrown into the flames at night was no longer visible in the morning, then it was believed
that the person who tossed the pebble would not survive another year. If nuts tossed into the
blaze by young lovers then exploded, it signified a quarrelsome marriage. For the most part
however, the English ceased celebrating Halloween with the spread of Martin Luther's Protestant
Reformation. Since followers of the new religion did not believe in Saints, they saw no reason to
celebrate the Eve of All Saints' Day. However, in recent years, the American "trick or treating"
custom, together with the donning of costumes for going door-to-door, has become a relatively
popular pastime among English children at Halloween, although many of the adults (particularly
the older generations) have little idea as to why they are being asked for sweets and are usually
ill-prepared to accommodate their small and hopeful callers.
Unlike most nations of the world, Halloween is not celebrated by the French in order to honour
the dead and departed ancestors. It is regarded as an "American" holiday in France and was
virtually unknown in the country until around 1996.
In Ireland, believed to be the birthplace of Halloween, the tradition is still celebrated as much as it
is in the United States. In rural areas, bonfires are lit as they were in the days of the Celts and
children dress up in costumes to spend the evening "trick-or-treating" in their neighbourhoods.
After the visiting, most people attend parties with neighbours and friends. At these parties, many
games are played, including "snap-apple," in which an apple on a string is tied to a doorframe or
tree, and players attempt to take a bite out of the suspended apple. In addition to bobbing for
apples, parents often arrange treasure hunts with sweets or pastries as the "treasure." The Irish
also play a card game where cards are laid face-down on a table with sweets or coins beneath
them. When a child selects a card, he or she receives whatever prize might be found there. A
traditional food is eaten on Halloween called "barnbrack." This is a type of fruitcake which can be
baked at home or store-bought. A muslin-wrapped treat is baked inside the cake which, so it is
said, can foretell the future of the one who finds it. If the prize is a ring, then that person will soon
be wed and a piece of straw means a prosperous year is forthcoming. Children are also known
to play tricks upon their neighbours on Halloween night. One of which is known as "knock-a-
dolly," where children knock on the doors of their neighbours but then run away before the door is
opened.
The Japanese celebrate the "Obon Festival" (also known as "Matsuri" or "Urabon") which is
similar to Halloween festivities in that it is dedicated to the spirits of ancestors. Special foods are
prepared and bright red lanterns are hung everywhere. Candles are lit and placed into lanterns
which are then set afloat on rivers and seas. During the "Obon Festival," a fire is lit every night in
order to show the ancestors where their families might be found. "Obon" is one of the two main
occasions during the Japanese year when the dead are believed to return to their birthplaces.
Memorial stones are cleaned and community dances performed. The "Obon Festival" takes place
during July or August.
Among Spanish-speaking nations, Halloween is known as "El Dia de los Muertos." (The Day of
The Dead)~ It is a joyous and happy holiday...a time to remember friends and family who have
died. Officially commemorated on November 2 (All Souls' Day), the three-day celebration actually
begins on the evening of October 31. Designed to honour the dead who are believed to return to
their homes on Halloween, many families construct an altar in their home and decorate it with
candy, flowers, photographs, fresh water and samples of the deceased's favourite foods and
drinks. Frequently, a basin and towel are left out in order that the spirit can wash prior to indulging
in the feast. Candles are incense are burned to help the departed find his or her way home.
Relatives also tidy the gravesites of deceased family members, including snipping weeds,
making repairs and painting. The grave is then adorned with flowers, wreaths or paper
streamers. Often, a live person is placed inside a coffin which is then paraded through the streets
while vendors toss fruit, flowers and candies into the casket. On November 2, relatives gather at
the gravesite to picnic and reminisce. Some of these gatherings may even include tequila and a
mariachi band although American Halloween customs are gradually taking over this celebration.
In Mexico during the Autumn, countless numbers of Monarch butterflies return to the shelter of
Mexico's oyamel fir trees. It was the belief of the Aztecs that these butterflies bore the spirits of
dead ancestors.
Despite having a large foreign population who are familiar with the Halloween traditions, in South
Africa Halloween has remained relatively unknown until as recent as 2007 when Halloween
merchandise started appearing in the supermarkets and shopping malls.
Back to Halloween Main
Halloween Activities & Printables
| Halloween Around the World |
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