Halloween costumes are traditionally those of monsters such as ghosts, skeletons, witches, and devils. They are said to be used to scare off demons. Costumes are also based on themes other than traditional horror, such as those of characters from television shows, movies, and other pop culture icons.
"Will you walk into my parlor?"said the spider to the fly;“It is the prettiest little parlor that you ever did spy. The way into my parlor is up a winding stair,And I have many curious things to show when you are there.""Oh no, no!" said the little fly,"to ask me is in vain;For who goes up your winding staircan never come down again."
Witches have had a long history with Halloween. Legends tell of witches gathering on this night, arriving on broomsticks, to celebrate a party hosted by the devil. Superstitions tell of witches casting spells on unsuspecting people, transform themselves into different forms and causing other magical mischief.
Celtic priests called Druids celebrated Halloween many centuries ago in Ireland and Scotland. The Druids thought that Halloween was the night when the witches came out. As they were afraid of the witches they put on different clothes and painted their faces to deceive the evil spirits. They also placed food and small gifts near the doors of their houses for the witches.
The old Celtic custom was to light great bonfires on Halloween, and after these had burned out to make a circle of the ashes of each fire. Within this circle, and near the circumference, each member of the various families that had helped to make a fire would place a pebble. If, on the next day, any stone was displaced, or had been damaged, it was considered to be an indication that the one to whom the stone belonged would die within twelve months.
Trick-or-treating is a customary celebration for children on Halloween. Children go in costume from house to house, asking for treats such as candy or sometimes money, with the question, "Trick or treat?" The word "trick" refers to a (mostly idle) "threat" to perform mischief on the homeowners or their property if no treat is given. Sometimes children perform some sort of trick, i.e. sings a song or tells a ghost story, to earn their treats.
A burning a candle inside a jack-o-lantern on Halloween keeps evil spirits and demons at bay. If a candle suddenly goes out by itself on Halloween, as though by breath or wind, it is believed that a ghost has come to call. Always burn new candles on Halloween to ensure the best of luck. It is not a good idea to burn Halloween candles at any other time of the year. It may bring bad luck or strange things will happen to you, over which you will have no control. Superstitions
If you hear footsteps trailing close behind you on Halloween night, do not to turn around to see who it is, for it may be Death himself! To look Death in the eye, according to ancient folklore, is a sure way to hasten your own demise. If a bat flies around a house three times, it is considered to be a death omen. A person born on Halloween can both see and talk to spirits. Superstitions
If you see a spider on Halloween, it could be the spirit of a dead loved one who is watching you. Put your clothes on inside out and walk backwards on Halloween night to meet a witch. You should walk around your home three times backwards and counterclockwise before sunset on Halloween to ward off evil spirits. Superstitions