Halloween Symbols: What their Mean & Origins (P1)

Thanks to Monday Mandala Team

Halloween enchants us with its mystical atmosphere and countless symbols, but have you ever wondered about the origins of these iconic emblems? In this series, we’ll explore the histories and meanings behind 47 unique Halloween symbols. From the well-known Jack O’ Lantern to lesser-known talismans, each carries a captivating story that adds depth to this magical holiday. Get ready to uncover the fascinating symbolism that makes Halloween the mesmerizing celebration it is today!

1. Jack O’ Lanterns

Every October, Jack O' Lanterns become a Halloween staple, thanks to Irish immigrants who brought vegetable carving to the U.S. The name comes from the Irish legend of Stingy Jack, who, after tricking the devil, was denied entry to both Heaven and Hell. He roamed the earth with a lit coal in a carved turnip, inspiring the tradition of "Jack O' Lanterns."

Originally, Halloween, or All Hallow's Eve, was a time when the veil between the living and the dead was thin. In Ireland, carved turnips were used to ward off evil spirits. When this custom reached the U.S., pumpkins—larger and easier to carve—replaced turnips, and the tradition gradually took on a more festive, less spiritual meaning.

 

2. Ghosts

While today's Halloween ghosts are often depicted as spooky and eerie, the ancient Celts viewed them more warmly. All Hallows' Eve, the precursor to Halloween, was believed to allow the spirits of deceased loved ones to walk the earth. The Celts would set extra places at the table or leave treats for these friendly spirits.

However, not all spirits were kind, and it’s from these sinister entities that Halloween’s spooky ghost tradition emerged. The Celts used Jack O' Lanterns to ward off unwelcome spirits. Though we now have ghost hunters and mediums year-round, the connection between ghosts and Halloween remains uniquely eerie and captivating.

3. Bats

When we think of Halloween, the image of Dracula transforming into a bat often comes to mind. Interestingly, the vampire-bat connection only emerged in the 19th century with the publication of Dracula. However, bats have been tied to Halloween long before that.

During the Celtic festival of Samhain, which coincided with Halloween, large bonfires would attract insects, which in turn drew bats. Their swooping movements unsettled the celebrants, who believed the bats might be spirits returning to earth with bad intentions.

Bats were also associated with witches, thought to be their "familiars" or magical companions. If a bat flew into your home on Halloween, it was seen as a sign that you were in for a frightful night!

 

4. Black Cats

 

For centuries, black cats have been linked to superstition and bad luck, a belief rooted in ancient Celtic and Medieval times. The Celts thought that wicked individuals could be transformed into cats, especially black ones cursed by Black Magic.

Black cats became deeply tied to Halloween after the Salem witch trials in the 17th century, where they were believed to be witches’ familiars or even the witches themselves, transformed into feline form. With witches closely associated with Halloween, black cats followed suit.

Thankfully, modern times have shed much of the old superstition, and many shelters today offer adoption specials for black cats, encouraging people to give them loving homes.

 

5. Witches

Witches have long been associated with Halloween, though stories of them date back thousands of years. For centuries, women who defied societal norms—by not conforming to submissive roles—were often labeled as witches and faced torture or death.

During the Medieval, Renaissance, and even early Modern periods, religious zeal focused on avoiding the influence of the devil, under whose control witches were believed to operate. Halloween, or All Hallows’ Eve, was seen as a time when the spirits of the dead, including malevolent ones, could visit the living. Witches, thought to summon these evil spirits, became intertwined with Halloween traditions, along with their black cat familiars, solidifying them as Halloween symbols.

 

6. Witch’s Broom

 

What would a witch be without her iconic broom to soar through the night? The association of witches with brooms likely stems from an old pagan custom where farmers danced with brooms to promote crop growth. This “broomstick dance” eventually morphed into tales of witches flying through the night to carry out evil deeds. As witches became symbolic of Halloween, their flying broomsticks naturally became part of the tradition as well.

7. Cauldrons

In Medieval and Early Modern times, cooking was often done over an open fire in large pots, or cauldrons. Over time, the cauldron became a key symbol of Halloween, especially in connection with witches. It was believed that witches weren’t just brewing soups or stews, but concocting magical potions, including those that gave them the power to fly.

8. Skulls

Samhain, the Celtic ritual marking the end of the harvest and the arrival of winter, was partially absorbed by the Catholic faith, evolving into what we now know as Halloween, or All Hallows' Day. It’s a time when the boundary between the living and the dead is believed to be thin, with some thinking that even skeletons, especially skulls, could visit the living.

This idea connects with the Mexican tradition of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), celebrated between November 1 and 2, where vibrant sugar skulls play a central role in honoring and remembering the departed.

 

9. Tombstones

Tombstones are closely tied to Halloween due to their association with death, a central theme of the holiday. After all, where else would the dead rise from but the graveyard, and what would skeletons push aside but tombstones? Today, tombstones are a common part of Halloween decor, with many people creating makeshift graveyards in their yards using foam tombstones for a spooky effect.

10. Full Moon

A full moon on Halloween, though rare (the last one occurred in 2020), has roots in Celtic superstition. During Samhain, the Celts believed that the spirits of the dead could return to the living world, wandering beneath the light of the full moon. This eerie tradition ties the full moon to the mystical atmosphere of Halloween.

11. Candy Corn

Candy corn, with its close ties to Halloween, is now one of the holiday's most iconic treats. Its tri-colored design—white, orange, and yellow—reflects the colors of fall and the harvest, while its shape represents corn. Interestingly, candy corn didn’t start out as a fall-themed sweet. First introduced in the 1880s, it wasn't until the 1950s that it became associated with Halloween.

12. Spiders and Spider Webs

Spiders became linked to Halloween through their association with witches, another iconic Halloween symbol. Their eerie appearance and unsettling movements made them seem like witches' familiars. Additionally, their webs, often found in abandoned, creepy places, add to the spooky atmosphere, making them a natural fit for the haunting spirit of Halloween.

13. Haunted Houses

Because Halloween is tied to the time when the boundary between the living and the dead is believed to be thin, it's natural that spirits—some not so friendly—would visit. While Jack O' Lanterns were used to ward off harmful ghosts, homes without them were thought to be doomed to hauntings.

The concept of the “haunted house” dates back to Madame Tussaud’s “Chamber of Horrors” in the early 1800s. However, it wasn't until Disney’s Haunted Mansion opened that haunted houses became a popular Halloween tradition, both commercially and at home.

 

14. Scarecrows

Scarecrows are a staple of Halloween, thanks to their role in the harvest season, tying back to Samhain traditions. Originally used to scare off birds (and people) while crops ripened, scarecrows were sometimes burned during end-of-season festivities.

Today, scarecrows have become part of Halloween fun, with pranks like dressing up as one, sitting still on a porch, and giving unsuspecting trick-or-treaters a good scare!

15. Owls

Owls have been associated with early Halloween celebrations since the Medieval period. Their eerie hooting instilled fear in people during a time when the dead were believed to rise and walk among the living. As nocturnal creatures, owls hunt at night, and their ability to rotate their heads nearly 300 degrees adds to their spooky aura, especially when glimpsed by moonlight.

To be continued.