'Tis now the very witching time of night,
When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this world.
~ William Shakespeare, Hamlet
Halloween Tricks and
Treats: Rituals,
Traditions, and Folklores
By: Roy Chan
Date: October 28, 2008
(not October 31,
2008…muhahahaha!!!!)
Question: According to ancient
superstitions, if you stare into a
mirror at midnight on Halloween,
what will you see?
__________________________
ANSWER: YOUR FUTURE
SPOUSE
History and Origin
• Started 2,000 years ago in Ireland on
November 1 during Celtic period
• Celtic celebrated Samhain (Celtic New
Year at end of harvest season)
• Halloween = All Hallows Even, or All
Saints Day
Halloween Comes to
America
~ Began early 1800s when European immigrated to
America
~ Immigrants from Ireland came to America to
promote Halloween through play parties, telling
stories, dancing, and singing
~ Trick-O-Treating = Community + Love
Rituals and Traditions in Ireland
• In Ireland, adults and children would dress
up as ghosts, witches, or zombies and
celebrate near a bonfire and firework
displays
• Barmbrack is a traditional Halloween cake
(fruit bread) eaten in Ireland
• Used as fortune tell games, where each
item carries a meaning to the person
~ At lunch, the Colcannon (mashed
potatoes and cabbage) is usually eaten.
Apple Bobbing/Bobbing for
Apples
• First played during Samhain festival in Celtic times
• Players grab apples only by their teeth
• In Scotland, they call this game ‘Ducking for Apples’
• Apples were once associated with love
• Still played today
Folklores
Maryland: See Future Spouse on Halloween
• If you walk around your house three times with a
mouthful of water in your mouth on Halloween, the first
person who you meet will be your future spouse.
• If you walk into a room backward at midnight on
Halloween and look at your left shoulder, you will see
your future spouse.
• If you are born on Halloween, you will see your spouse in
your dreams.
Halloween Films in America
Halloween Books in America
“I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself
than be crowded on a velvet cushion.”
~ Henry David Thoreau, American author
Fun Facts
• The jack-o-lantern tradition comes from an
old Irish folk tale about a man named
Stingy Jack.
• 86% of Americans decorate their homes at
Halloween
• In the movie “Halloween,” the mask worn
by Michael Meyers is actually the mask of
William Shatner (Captain James from Star
Trek)
• Famous magician Harry Houdini died on
Halloween, 1926 in Detroit, Michigan.
!!HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!