Origins & Traditions
This October holiday’s name comes from “All Hallows’ Eve,” the night before All Saints’ Day.
What is Halloween?
This headless rider is said to haunt Sleepy Hollow in an American ghost story.
Who is the Headless Horseman?
This creature is said to transform from human to beast under the light of a full moon.
What is a werewolf?
This candy, shaped like a triangle and colored yellow, orange, and white, is a Halloween classic.
What is candy corn?
Ringing a bell on Halloween night does this.
What is "ring a bell"?
This Celtic festival celebrated the end of harvest and is considered Halloween’s ancient origin.
What is Samhain?
This mythological woman was cursed so that anyone who looked at her would turn to stone.
Who is Medusa?
This enormous sea monster is rumored to live in Scotland’s Loch Ness.
What is the Loch Ness Monster (or Nessie)?
These black-furred animals are often considered witches’ companions or symbols of bad luck.
What are black cats?
NOTE: Conversely, many cultures consider them good luck, with some traditions believing they are protectors, symbols of prosperity, or omens of good fortune.
Dressing in a costume is meant to do this.
What is "fool spirits into thinking you are one of them, preventing them from causing mischief or stealing your soul."
Before pumpkins, people in Ireland and Scotland carved these vegetables into lanterns.
What are turnips?
This Romanian creature of legend drinks blood and avoids sunlight, inspiring countless stories.
What is a vampire?
This ape-like creature is said to roam the forests of North America.
What is Bigfoot (or Sasquatch)?
This 1993 movie features three witch sisters who return to Salem on Halloween night.
What is Hocus Pocus?
Seeing this arachnid on Halloween is sometimes seen as the spirit of a deceased loved one watching over you.
What is a spider?
In this country, families celebrate Día de los Muertos, honoring loved ones who have passed away.
What is Mexico?
In Appalachian folklore, this mysterious floating light is said to lead travelers astray in the night.
HINT: You also see them in Scottish Lore and they made an appearance in the movie BRAVE.
What is a will-o’-the-wisp?
This Egyptian god of the dead is often depicted with the head of a jackal.
Who is Anubis?
This monster movie features a scientist who creates life — and lives to regret it.
What is Frankenstein?
This number is considered unlucky in Western superstition and is often skipped in buildings.
What is #13?
In Scotland, fortune-telling charms are baked into this Halloween fruit bread.
What is barmbrack?
This ghostly ship is said to sail the seas forever, never able to make port.
What is the Flying Dutchman?
Said to rise from graveyards at night, this undead creature from Haitian folklore inspired modern some modern horror stories.
What is a zombie?
This poet/author is known as the Father of the Gothic/Horror Story. His works are also known to be the start of the detective fiction genre.
Who is Edgar Allen Poe?
Burning a candle of this color from midnight until sunrise on Halloween is thought to bring good luck.
What is orange?