Haunting History

Halloween, or 'All Hallows' Eve', is celebrated on October 31 and stems from traditions all around the world. Halloween originated from the Celtic festival, Samhain, in which pagans took stock and prepared for winter, often celebrating with bonfires and costumes to mimic evil spirits. As Halloween night is the night in which the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is thinnest, it's much safer to be in disguise. Bonfires and scary costumes are still a common occurance in Halloween celebrations, as well as the US-influenced 'trick or treating' and the symbolic Jack'o'lantern.

Freaky Facts

- Jack'o'lanterns were originally made from turnips.
- Bonfire is thought to come from the words 'bone' & 'fire' as druids would throw cattle bones into the flames.
- The fastest pumpkin carver in the world is Jerry Ayers from Ohio, who carved a pumpkin in 37 seconds!
- The movie 'Halloween' was made in just 21 days.
- In Guatemala, people fashion and fly kites in cemeteries as part of their Halloween traditions.

The Spirits of the City

- Charles I has frequently been seen wandering around Christ Church College without his head.
- It's not just revelling students who can be heard on May morning - the nuns at Godstow Nunnery, Wolvercote serenade those gathered on Port Meadow as dawn breaks.
- When staying in Oxford, make sure to avoid Room 16 at the Bear Inn, Woodstock if you're not keen on flickering lights, moving objects or ghostly footsteps.
- Keep an eye out for Rosamund the Fair when visiting the Trout - jealous Queen Eleanor killed the pretty lady when she found out about Rosa's 'friendship' with King Henry II.

Spooky symbols

Bats: Believed to be drawn towards the Samhain bonfires.

Cats: Associated with witches. Samhain druids are said to have thrown cats on their bonfires in wicker cages!

Scarecrows: Symbolise the harvest for winter.

Apples (apple-bobbing): Thought to come from the Roman harvest festival, Pomona, also the name of the goddess of harvest.

Ghosts: The spirits of the dead who are appeased by the Halloween festivities.

Orange & black: This one's simple: orange for autumn and black for darkness and night.

Spiders: A web is a cycle of life so the spiders who spin them were sometimes thought to have mystical powers.

Eerie-sistable events

For terrifying traditional treats, check out Traditional Foods for Halloween. If you want to determine Who's At the Door? before opening it, use our handy flowchart.

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