With the upcoming holiday fast approaching, it’s easy to get caught up with our own Halloween superstitions. But did you ever wonder which countries celebrate this spooky day, and how it is being celebrated?
Check out our roundup for Halloween superstitions and read on to find out.
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Old Halloween Superstitions You Need To Know
1. Ireland
An old Celtic tradition was to start huge bonfires on Halloween. After the fire had burned out, they make a circle of ashes from each fire. Inside this circle, every individual from the different families which had made a fire should put a pebble.
When any stone was out of its place or harmed the next day, it was a sign that the one who owned the disrupted stone would die within a year.
2. Germany
In Germany, people also pray for the souls of their dead at Halloween. What is special, however, is they additionally put all the knives of the house away. This is because they do not want to risk harm befalling the returning spirits.
3. China
China’s Halloween festival, known as “Teng Chieh”, celebrates the dead. Here, they offer water and food to the photos of the deceased. They also light lanterns to illuminate the way of the souls as they wander the earth on the eve of Halloween.
4. Mexico
Mexico celebrates Halloween on a large scale, known as “El Dia de Los Muertos.” This is a joyous and happy holiday which starts on October 31st and ends on November 2nd.
It’s a time to remember friends and family who have died and believed to come home during Halloween. They create altars in their homes and decorate it with candles, flowers, and favorite foods of their deceased.
5. Austria
In Austria, some people will leave a lighted lamp, bread, and water on the table before retiring on the eve of Halloween. Such things will welcome the souls back to earth on a night, which for the Austrians, thought to overflow with cosmic energies.
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6. Hong Kong
Hong Kong celebrates the Halloween festivity or “Yue Lan” as they call it, which translates to the “Hungry Ghosts Festival.” It is a period where many people believed spirits wander the world for a period of 24 hours.
For people who believe this, they set pictures of money or fruit on fire, believing these pictures would get to the world of the spirits, then convey solace to the souls.
7. Czechoslovakia
In Czechoslovakia, they have a tradition called “Seating for the Dead”. Every chair set by the fireside corresponds to a deceased relative. There is a chair for every relative and one for every relative’s soul.
8. Scotland
In Scotland, the tradition is to peel an apple and toss the peel behind the person. It is believed that the shape that the peel reveals will become the primary letter of the future spouse’s name.
9. The UK and North America
In numerous parts of the UK and North America, it is believed that if a young, unmarried individual gazes into a dull mirror, they will locate their future life partner behind their shoulder.
However, if the spouse is going to pass on soon, people are likely to find a skeleton looking back at them.
Want to learn more about Halloween superstitions? Watch this video from National Geographic:
While others are busy preparing for their Halloween costumes and Halloween parties, many cultures celebrate the dead.
These Halloween superstitions from around the world are all fascinating and will surely give you the spooky chill we all crave during this festive season.
Do you know other Halloween superstitions? Share it with us in the comments section below!
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Editor’s Note – This post was originally published in October 1, 2016 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
[…] children and adults alike, Halloween is one of the most exciting times of the year. The horror parties, sugary sweets, and crazy costumes are a wonderful break from the humdrum of […]