Fun facts about Halloween

For my last day on the island I thought I'd share some fun facts about Halloween!

Before Christianity was introduced to Ireland, Halloween as we know it dates back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. November 1^st was the end of summer and their harvest, and the beginning of winter. The Celts believed that on October 31, the line between the world of the living and dead blurred and that a veil was lifted. The Celts needed their harvests to survive so out of respect, they built huge bonfires and sacrificed animals. In addition, they dressed up in various ghoulish costumes in the hopes of disguising their human form to spirits roaming the earth. Interesting, but I like the idea of dressing up as a pirate or bar wench and drinking vampire martinis a lot more.

Here are some more cool facts about this impending holiday:

1. The next full moon on Halloween will be October 31, 2020 so get ready!


2. A pumpkin is a fruit.


3. Orange and black are associated with Halloween because orange is associated with the Fall Harvest and black with death.


4. Bobbing for apples is thought to have been derived from the Roman harvest festival that honors the goddess Pamona.


5. Halloween was brought to America by European immigrants.


6. Black cats are connected with Halloween because they are thought to help witches.


7. In Mexico, they celebrate Dias de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) on November 2^nd.


8. Are you afraid of Halloween? You might have Samhainophobia.


9. The original Halloween movie was made in only 21 days.


10. Some ‘vampire bats’ actually do drink blood but they don’t feast on people. In South and Central America they chow down on cattle and other animals.


11. Eighty six percent of Americans decorate for Halloween. (And I'm one of them)


12. Halloween is the second most celebrated holiday after….you guessed it, Christmas!


13. Orange isn’t the only color of pumpkins. They also come in blue, white, and green!


14. Harry Houdini died on Halloween in 1926 at the age of 52 from peritonitis.


15. Supposedly if you see a spider on Halloween, it’s the spirit of a loved one watching over you. (Too bad if it’s one of my relatives cuz they’re getting squished if they’re in my house)

Thanks for hanging out with me these last few days! Halloween is fast approaching so I hope you've got your costume and fun cocktail recipes ready! :)