1. Halloween’s Top Ten Scariest Creatures They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky. But they don’t appear out of thin air, not even the ghosts.

2. #10 Goblins Goblins are more mischievous than menacing. Goblins are more mischievous than menacing. Legend tells of goblins hiding out in forests, pulling pranks, sometimes switching human babies for their own changeling spawn. Legend tells of goblins hiding out in forests, pulling pranks, sometimes switching human babies for their own changeling spawn. Because of a disconnect with religion, goblins never quite crossed the threshold from imaginary to real to cause real panic. Because of a disconnect with religion, goblins never quite crossed the threshold from imaginary to real to cause real panic.

3. #9 Demons An all-encompassing term for evil spirit. An all-encompassing term for evil spirit. From a malevolent ghost to fallen angel. From a malevolent ghost to fallen angel. In folklore and literature, he is the most famous and talented, complete with rotating head and slime spewing mouth. In folklore and literature, he is the most famous and talented, complete with rotating head and slime spewing mouth.

4. #8 Gargoyles Stone monsters adding “freak” to lovely architecture. Stone monsters adding “freak” to lovely architecture. In the 13 th century, they kept rain water off cathedral roofs, their mouths serving as ejector spouts. In the 13 th century, they kept rain water off cathedral roofs, their mouths serving as ejector spouts. They were supposed to protect against evil forces lurking outside. They were supposed to protect against evil forces lurking outside.

5. #7 Zombies Their souls sucked from their bodies and revived from the dead through voodoo… Their souls sucked from their bodies and revived from the dead through voodoo… Black magic creatures from Haiti, these walking dead are favorites of B movies. Black magic creatures from Haiti, these walking dead are favorites of B movies. There is really a toxic drug that can induce this zombie-like catatonic state! There is really a toxic drug that can induce this zombie-like catatonic state!

6. #6 Werewolves Normal and well- mannered until the full moon kicks in… Normal and well- mannered until the full moon kicks in… These shapeshifters appear legends of every culture dating back to ancient Greece. These shapeshifters appear legends of every culture dating back to ancient Greece. The stories of old have fallen off the radar except in Hollywood. The stories of old have fallen off the radar except in Hollywood.

7. #5 Jack-o-Lanterns A standout among freaks and monsters, the nutritious pumpkin may be Halloween’s most famous symbol. A standout among freaks and monsters, the nutritious pumpkin may be Halloween’s most famous symbol. Carving and lighting the gourd is a Celtic custom brought to America by Irish immigrants. Carving and lighting the gourd is a Celtic custom brought to America by Irish immigrants. Designed to frighten off evil spirits, not children. Designed to frighten off evil spirits, not children.

8. #4 Bats They’re blind and hang out in caves. They’re blind and hang out in caves. They inspire masked crusaders. They inspire masked crusaders. But how did bats become associated with Halloween? But how did bats become associated with Halloween? Thank the vampires for imitating the species that actually subsist on human blood. Thank the vampires for imitating the species that actually subsist on human blood.

9. #3 Witches Forget the pointy black hat and warty nose. Forget the pointy black hat and warty nose. Witches were thought to possess magical powers connected with the natural world. Witches were thought to possess magical powers connected with the natural world. Like pagans, they were demonized and hunted by the Christian church until the 17 th century. Like pagans, they were demonized and hunted by the Christian church until the 17 th century. Good luck identifying them today! Good luck identifying them today!

10. #2 Ghosts Two eyeholes on a bedsheet and you’ve got the easiest Halloween costume around. Two eyeholes on a bedsheet and you’ve got the easiest Halloween costume around. Becoming one is more complicated. Becoming one is more complicated. First, you have to die, perhaps tragically, to spook relatives and haunt houses. First, you have to die, perhaps tragically, to spook relatives and haunt houses. 50% believe! 50% believe!

11. And Number One… Vampires! They want to suck your blood. They want to suck your blood. The fanged-and-coiffed Hollywood version came from myths of Eastern Europe… The fanged-and-coiffed Hollywood version came from myths of Eastern Europe… Someone born with deformities and die an irregular death could rise again to terrorize and reap vengeance on the living! Someone born with deformities and die an irregular death could rise again to terrorize and reap vengeance on the living!

12. Happy Halloween! May you be scared more than once in your lifetime…