Trick-or-Treating on Halloween Night Jinny Han Next

Origin of Trick-or-Treating #1 The custom of trick or treating probably has several origins: It is believed to have originated with a ninth-century European custom called “souling” (an early precursor to today's ‘trick or treat‘) on All Souls Day. Next

Origin of Trick-or-Treating #1 (Cont.) On All Souls Day, early Christians used to walk from village to village begging for "soul cakes". These cakes were made out of square pieces of bread with currants. (Click above colored words to see what they are!) Next

What are Soul Cakes? Soul Cakes are a kind of sacrificial foods of the Celtic festival of Samhain held in early autumn. These little cakes were traditionally set out with glasses of wine on All Hallows Eve (October 31) for the souls of the dead. The more soul cakes the beggars would receive, the more prayers they would promise to say on behalf of the dead relatives of the donors. Go Back

All Souls Day All Souls Day is when the Church commemorates and prays for the holy souls in Purgatory, undergoing purification of their sins before entering heaven. All Souls Day is November 2nd, the day after All Saints Day. Click the below link to watch the trailer of “All Souls Day”. Go Back

Origin of Trick-or-Treating #2 The custom of trick-or-treating comes from Ireland. Many years ago, Irish peasants went from house to house, collecting money, breadcake, cheese, eggs, butter, nuts, apples, etc., in preparation for the festival of Halloween. Next

Origin of Trick-or-Treating #2 (cont.) The farmers would promise good luck to those who gave them food, and made threats to those who refused to give. They simply told the people, "You treat me, or else I will trick you!" Next

Trick-or-Treating Today Trick-or-treating is done in costume and is one of the main traditions of Halloween.(Click here to see the origin of Halloween.) Next

Halloween Halloween is celebrated on the night of Octobert 31st, usually by children dressing in costumes and going door- to-door trick-or-treating for candy. Go Back

Typical Halloween Costumes Typical Halloween costumes have traditionally been monsters such as ghosts, vampires, devils, And witches Next

Stereotypical Halloween Costumes The stereotypical Halloween costume is a sheet with eyeholes cut in it as a ghost costume. Next

Why People Wear Costumes? In 19th-Century Scotland and Ireland the reason for wearing such fearsome costumes was the belief that since the spirits that were abroad that night were essentially intent on doing harm, the best way to avoid this was to fool the spirits into believing that you were one of them. Next

Halloween Costumes Today In recent years, it has become common for costumes to be based on themes other than traditional horror, such as dressing up as a character from a TV show or movie, or choosing a recognizable face from the public sphere. Next

Common Halloween Costumes Next

Have a safe and happy Halloween! Think of the below questions to review what you have learned so far. When is Halloween? When is Halloween? What do people wear on Halloween? What do people wear on Halloween? What do children do on Halloween? What do children do on Halloween? End