Origins of Halloween
Halloween is celebrated on what date?
October 31st
What vegetable was first used for jack-o’-lanterns in Ireland?
Turnips or potatoes
In folklore, werewolves transform during which lunar phase?
Full moon
Which country is Transylvania located in?
Romania
On what dates is Día de los Muertos celebrated?
November 1st and 2nd
The word “Halloween” comes from which old phrase?
All Hallows’ Eve
What do the colors orange and black represent?
Orange = harvest/fire; Black = night/death
What American story features the Headless Horseman?
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
True or False: Halloween is a national holiday in Transylvania.
False
What do families build to honor loved ones who have passed away?
Altars (ofrendas)
Which ancient festival is considered the origin of Halloween?
Samhain
What phrase do children say when going door-to-door for candy?
“Trick or treat!”
Who wrote Frankenstein?
Mary Shelley
In some Celtic regions, people place what in windows to guide spirits?
Candles
What bright orange flower is known as the “flower of the dead”?
Marigold (cempasúchil)
What did people wear to hide from spirits during Samhain?
Costumes or disguises
What do people traditionally carve to make a Jack-o’-lantern today?
A pumpkin
What inspired Bram Stoker’s character “Dracula”?
Vlad the Impaler
During Halloween’s early history, what did people believe happened on the night of October 31st?
The boundary between the living and the dead became thin.
What is the purpose of the food, candles, and photos placed on an altar?
To welcome and guide spirits back home
What day follows Halloween and inspired its name?
All Saints’ Day (November 1st)
What common Halloween activity comes from the idea of sharing food during harvest festivals?
Trick-or-treating
The Mummy legend is based on which ancient culture’s beliefs?
Egyptian
What does the name “Dracula” mean in Romanian?
Son of the Dragon (Bonus: “Dracul” means dragon/devil)
How does Día de los Muertos differ from Halloween?
It celebrates and honors the dead with joy and remembrance, not fear or fright