The Origins of Halloween Traditions

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Magnolia
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The Origins of Halloween Traditions

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Jack-o-Lanterns were originally made from turnips. In America turnips were too expensive for the new citizens so pumpkins were used instead.

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How did the owl become associated with Halloween? In Medieval times owls were thought to be witches in animal form, and to see an owl meant someone you knew was about to die.

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In Irish folklore the term "Jack-o-Lantern" came from the story of a man named Jack who tricked the devil into giving him an ember from hell, which he placed in a carved out turnip, and used as a lantern to frighten away any future hellish events.

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Trick-or-treating is a tradition evolved from several ancient practices. One from the ancient Celts who placed food & gifts outside of their homes during Samhain to subdue wandering spirits. The second from Christians whose poor called it "souling" and would offer prayers in exchange for soul cakes door-to-door.


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How did the cat become associated with Halloween? It's said Halloween originated in Ireland with the Druids, who during Samhain rituals, would throw cats in wicker cages into ritual fires. As black is the color of Halloween to signify "death" a black cat association was born.


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Young ladies in Victorian times believed if they were to look into a mirror on Halloween night, the image of their future husband would appear. This was a very popular theme in the Halloween postcards well into the 1920s in America.

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The practice of Halloween is believed to be over 6,000 years old, with its evolution fitting the current, social climate.


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Turnips is quite a bit cheaper down here then pumpkins, I'm thinking it's time to switch back the tradition.


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I have got to make a turnip lantern this year, class it up!

This was a fun read, thanks Magnolia.


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Awesome read!
Thanks....we already carved our pumpkins this week... 1s
I have no idea where i would find turnips over here...lol

I will make sure to STAY AWAY from mirrors this Samhain.... 1sh 2wk


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Fascinating read. (Though the bit about the fate of the poor cats makes me sad.) Too bad we can't have this info taught to kids in school, lest a fanatical subset of parents flip out and call it devil worship. It's very interesting and it offers a lot of insight into what we do today.


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Very cool, thanks for sharing! I might just try making a turnip lantern this year. :D


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And this, bump


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Awesome read


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Likes2Read wrote:Fascinating read. (Though the bit about the fate of the poor cats makes me sad.) Too bad we can't have this info taught to kids in school, lest a fanatical subset of parents flip out and call it devil worship. It's very interesting and it offers a lot of insight into what we do today.
It's really sad when you have people who think Samhain ('sam-hane') is some sort of devil-god that people worship.
And yes thank goodness we no longer treat cats like that, for all we look up to the Druids/Celts for other things.
Also cats have a long tradition of being associated as witches' familiars, though I haven't quite discerned it that precedes the spread of Christianity or not. Certainly they had an air of mystique, mystery and magick about them, as well as hanging about certain goddesses.


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A neat article on the changing traditions of modern Halloween. I love this vintage stuff.
http://io9.gizmodo.com/the-history-of-m ... 1788207372


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