Halloween isn’t just about candy, costumes, and traditional activities. It kicks off Allhallowtide, a three-day stretch in the Christian calendar dedicated to honoring saints and the deceased. Dating back to early Christianity, this tradition centers around remembering those who have passed away. Curious to learn more about the origins and significance of this spooky holiday? Keep reading to discover the fascinating history behind Allhallowtide!
Trick or Treating
The phrase, “Trick or Treat,” is as old as the holiday itself, but its origins are unknown. It was popularized in 1951 in the Peanuts comic strip, and Disney followed suit in 1952 with a cartoon about the practice. Before that, Halloween was known as Samhain, a harvest festival where people went door-to-door asking for food and drink in exchange for prayers. This practice is still around today, but it did not involve candy until the 1950s.
In some places, children older than thirteen are no longer allowed to go trick-or-treating. In Missouri, trick-or-treaters are only allowed to collect candy until 8 or 9 pm. The sound effect for the knife in the Halloween movies was actually created by plunging a knife into a watermelon. The sound effects team recreated the sound by using watermelons in order to mimic the effects. Trick or treating is believed to have originated from Celtic traditions.
The number 13 is associated with Judas Iscariot
The number thirteen is associated with Judas Iscariot, a betrayer of Jesus Christ. In the Bible, there are several stories associated with the number thirteen, including Judas Iscariot’s presence at the last supper and his betrayal of Jesus. In addition, the number thirteen is associated with Loki, the uninvited guest who causes chaos and mayhem at a banquet for gods. For a long time, the number thirteen was associated with bad luck. Despite this association, the bible gives many examples of the ill-fated number thirteen.
There are many stories related to Judas’ betrayal, ranging from medieval literature to ancient myths. In addition to biblical accounts, Judas’ story also appears in medieval works, such as Dante’s Inferno. In the same vein, medieval literature depicts Judas en route to hell with a group of assassins.
The full moon
The full moon on Halloween is very unusual, and it only occurs once every 19 years. In fact, the last full moon on Halloween occurred in 2020. The full moon in October is also an event for which people are dressed up in costume. However, the full moon is not the only thing to celebrate on the night of Halloween. It can also be a good time to get your pumpkin carving on.
The full moon is not only associated with Halloween, but also with Wicca. Historically, candy corn was sold throughout the year in autumn to celebrate the harvest. It is also the time for the Lenten Full Moon, which is the last full Moon of the winter season.
The fear of Halloween is called Samhainophobia
Samhainophobia is a common fear of the holiday of Halloween. It can develop as a result of a childhood brain injury. It can also occur when an individual experiences a traumatic event or trauma in general. There is no definitive test for Samhainophobia, but there are several signs that may indicate the presence of this condition.
Samhainophobia may cause a person to avoid Halloween events and activities, including trick-or-treating and school. It can also lead to nightmares. If the fear of Halloween is severe enough, a person suffering from this condition may seek professional help to overcome it. Psychotherapy, exposure therapy, and anti-anxiety medications can be helpful. During therapy, the patient is gradually exposed to images and experiences associated with Halloween, which may help reduce the symptoms of the phobia.
The origin of the Michael Myers mask
There are several versions of the Michael Myers mask on the market. The original was created by Justin Mabry for Trick or Treat Studios in 1978. The first film uses the same mask, which has changed a bit since then. The second and third films use a different version of the mask.
The first two movies burned two of the stunt masks, making the only Michael Myers mask still in use in those movies. This was done because the director did not want to spend more money on two stunt masks. But after the second movie, the director decided to keep one for himself.
In the original film, the mask was designed to resemble William Shatner’s mask. However, some audiences found it too bright and not detailed enough. In the fourth film, the mask features prominent eyebrows and pursed lips.