Halloween History
What is the day of Halloween?
October 31st
What happened in the night before New Year according to the Celts?
The boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred and the ghosts of the dead returned to Earth.
What was the nickname of the man that gave origin to Jack O' Lantern?
Stingy Jack
Why couldn't the Devil transform himself back from a coin inside of Jack's pocket?
Because he was next to a silver cross.
What does coal mean?
a combustible black or dark brown rock consisting mainly of carbonized plant matter.
How many years ago did the Celts live?
Two thousand years ago.
What is the origin of the costumes at Halloween?
The living dressed as ghost not be noticed by the spirits of the dead.
Why was he called Stingy Jack?
Because he was greedy.
What was the second trick Jack played on the Devil?
Jack tricked the Devil into climbing into a tree to pick a piece of fruit. While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree’s bark so that the Devil could not come down.
What does crop mean?
harvest
Where did the Celts live?
In the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France.
What is the origin of Trick-or-Treating?
People left goods on the doorstep so the ghosts wouldn't cause trouble or damage the crops.
Who did Jack invite to have a drink with him?
The devil.
Why couldn't the Devil come down the tree?
Because Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree’s bark.
What does bonfire mean?
firepit
What did the passage to the New Year meant to the Celts?
The end of summer and beginning of winter.
How would they be protected during the winter?
By the bonfires.
How did Jack pay for the drink?
He convinved the Devil to turn into a coin.
What happened when Jack dided?
God would not allow such an unsavory figure into heaven. The Devil, upset by the trick Jack had played on him and keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not allow Jack into hell. He sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way.
What does boundary mean?
Limit
What did they celebrate on November 1st?
The New Year
When did they celebrate Samhain?
October 31st
What was the first trick Jack played on the Devil?
Jack convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack could use to buy their drinks. Once the Devil did so, Jack decided to keep the money and put it into his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form.
Where did Jack put his burning coal?
Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip and has been roaming the Earth with ever since.
What does stingy mean?
greedy