Pagan origins
Ceremonial acts tied to seasonal and spiritual beliefs.
Ritual
Small cake given in exchange for prayers for the dead.
Soul Cake
houses in which ghosts live or visit
Haunted houses
Modern celebration blending ancient and recent traditions.
Halloween
Pre-Christian religious traditions
Pagan
Holy figure honored during Christian observances
Saint
Seasonal theme central to both Celtic and American traditions.
Harvest
Disguise worn during Halloween festivities.
Costume
Protective rituals against malevolent forces.
Warding
Early Christian whose death was commemorated
Martyr
Local gatherings and celebrations
Community
Contemporary version of souling and mumming.
Trick-or-treat
Ancient people whose traditions shaped early Halloween.
Celt
Religious parade or ritual walk.
Procession
Traditional stories and customs brought by immigrants.
Folklore
making buckets of money on sweets
The sweets industry
Celtic festival marking the end of harvest and beginning of winter.
Samhain
Commemoration of the faithful departed.
All Souls’ Day
Passing down stories and customs by word of mouth.
Oral Tradition
that getting scared (temporarily) can feel good.
The thrill of the fright