Myths

Halloween myths, checked

Things everyone “knows” about Halloween, and what the sources say.

1. MythHalloween is an American invention.

   FactThe jack-o’-lantern began in the British Isles, where people carved large turnips or other vegetables, not pumpkins. Britannica Halloween was largely forbidden among early American colonists. Immigrants, including many from Ireland, brought their customs from the mid-19th century, and in the 20th century it became a major American holiday. Britannica

2. MythJack-o’-lanterns were always pumpkins.

   FactThe jack-o’-lantern began in the British Isles, where people carved large turnips or other vegetables, not pumpkins. Britannica The National Museum of Ireland says today’s pumpkin is an American development of the Irish turnip tradition. NMI, ghost turnip

3. MythWe know exactly how ancient Samhain was celebrated.

   FactVery little can be said for certain about ancient Samhain, because the evidence is sparse. Britannica, Samhain The ancient Irish left few records of it. Short mentions appear in Irish tales of the 10th and 12th centuries; fuller descriptions only date from the 18th century, from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man. Britannica, Samhain

4. MythEveryone agrees the Church moved All Saints’ Day to replace Samhain.

   FactIn the 8th century Pope Gregory III moved it to 1 November, Britannica says perhaps partly to replace pagan holidays. Britannica Britannica’s Samhain article says these Christian holidays were set on these dates by the Roman Catholic Church in the 9th century, entirely independently of Samhain. Britannica, Samhain

5. MythTrick or treat was invented in America.

   FactHistoric Environment Scotland calls guising the original form of trick or treating. Children were disguised so the roaming fairies and spirits wouldn’t steal them. Historic Environment Scotland Trick or treat means threatening a usually harmless prank if no treat is given. It is thought to come from the British custom of letting the poor beg for food called ‘soul cakes’. Britannica

6. MythBlack cats are unlucky everywhere.

   FactNot everywhere fears black cats: in Scotland and Japan a black cat can stand for good fortune, and in ancient Egypt cats were sacred to the goddess Bastet. Britannica

7. MythHop tu Naa is just Halloween with a Manx name.

   FactCulture Vannin calls Hop tu Naa the Manx equivalent of Halloween, with some very important differences. Culture Vannin, toolkit Hop tu Naa is the oldest continuously existing tradition in the Isle of Man. Culture Vannin, toolkit

8. MythHop tu Naa has always been on 31 October.

   FactIt is celebrated on 31 October. In the old calendar it fell on 11 November, Old Hollantide Eve. Culture Vannin

9. MythYou need an elaborate costume to go guising.

   FactLong ago, children had no elaborate costumes: they disguised themselves by wearing clothes inside out or back to front and covering their faces. Culture Vannin, toolkit

10. MythJinny the Witch was definitely a real person.

    FactMany of the songs mention Jinny the Witch. Some people think she was a real woman, Joney Lowney, who lived about 300 years ago. Culture Vannin, toolkit

11. MythMexico’s Day of the Dead is the same festival as Halloween.

    FactMexico’s Day of the Dead, from 31 October to 2 November, is a separate festival, with altars of flowers, candles, food and photos. Britannica

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