Superstition Origins
Which ancient Celtic festival marked the end of harvest and is considered the origin of Halloween?
Samhain
How many years of bad luck are associated with breaking a mirror?
7 years
What carved items are traditionally used to scare away evil spirits on Halloween?
jack-o'-lanterns / carved pumpkins
Name the verb that means "to make someone feel frightened or keep bad things away"
scare away
According to folklore, why did Jack have to wander the Earth with only a lantern?
He tricked the devil and was condemned to wander
In the UK, what is a black cat crossing your path usually believed to bring?
Bad luck.
What item do people burn in rituals to bring good luck, love, or health, and to protect against evil spirits?
candles
What noun describes a belief or practice resulting from fear of the unknown or magic rather than logic?
superstitions
Why is breaking a mirror believed to bring bad luck?
Because it was believed a mirror reflects your soul.
In hotels, which floor or room number is commonly skipped due to bad luck?
floor/room 13
What custom do people in Ireland practice on Halloween to appease spirits of the dead?
Leaving out food and drink for the spirits.
What adjective describes a place visited or inhabited by ghosts or spirits?
haunted
Why are Halloween nights traditionally linked with the supernatural?
Because the border between the living and the dead is believed to be thinner.
True or False: 13 is considered an unlucky number in every single country in the world
False (In some countries, 13 is a lucky number!)
What do some people in Scotland talk about during Halloween—described as shape-shifting creatures?
pookas
What word means a religious or solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions performed in a prescribed order?
ritual
Walking under a ladder is believed to bring bad luck because it symbolizes a broken connection with what?
The spirit world (or a funeral procession).
Name two traditional good luck charms mentioned in the presentation.
Horseshoes, four-leaf clovers, rabbits' feet, or witches' hats.
What action do some people take during funerals in certain countries to protect the souls of the deceased?
covering mirrors
Give a synonym for "chance" or "luck", often referring to future success or wealth.
fortune