Halloween Myths
2 min read
By: Calia Bennett
Halloween is a holiday full of traditions, superstitions, and myths. There are many misconceptions, especially when it comes to the different myths. Which ones are the most popular and which are the most misunderstood? This article will dive into all these answers.
Starting off, many people believe that black cats represent bad luck and misfortune. This idea originated years ago when witch hunts were common. Many of the older women charged with witchcraft had their cats accused of being hell-sent or “familiars.” Others believed that Satan would take the form of a black cat when communicating with the witches. “They’re so cute,” commented Dante Bolte, a student from Lenape Tech’s CIT program. Dante clearly doesn’t prescribe to the myth of black cats being bad luck.
Pumpkin carving has always been a popular Halloween tradition. Despite this, very few people are aware of the dark, tragic fable behind it. In Celtic folklore, Jack, a drunken farmer, “tricked the devil.” When he passed, this led to him being rejected from both heaven and hell. The man was left with nothing to do but wander the darkness of purgatory. He carved a turnip and used a piece of coal to make a lantern to guide his soul according to the legend.
While interviewing Jesslyn Burr, a student from Lenape Tech’s law enforcement department, she stated, “I work on Halloween, but my family and I throw a party every year.” Some spend the day honoring spiritual beings, while others may go trick-or-treating. No matter what myths or fables a person may believe, Halloween can be celebrated in many ways.
