7 Scary Symbols of Halloween
Scare Yourself Silly with these Halloween Symbols
BOO!!
Halloween is currently celebrated all around the world.
Started by the Celts and celebrated each year on October 31st, there are numerous Halloween symbols that conjure up scary imagery and haunting manifestations of the supernatural.
Common symbols for Halloween include bats, gravestones, witches, pumpkins, owls, cats, and skulls.
"When witches go riding,
and black cats are seen,
the moon laughs and whispers,
'tis near Halloween."
~ Author Unknown
All Images: VintageCrafts.com
Contents at a Glance
Halloween Practices Poll
1. Bats
Spirits and Eternal Life
As bats and owls are nocturnal, both of these animals are known as omens of bad luck or evil and associated with All Hallow's Eve.Bats were thought to indicate the presence of spirits or ghosts. The infamous vampire bat, is the only mammal that feeds on blood. One superstition holds that if a bat flies around a house three times on Halloween, death will be coming soon.
In contrast, some Chinese cultures believe that red bats are a symbol of long life, and bat amulets are worn as lucky charms to bring happiness and ward off evil. Five red bats can also represent the "five good fortunes" of health, longevity, love, wealth and virtue.
"For as the eyes of bats are to the blaze of day, so is the reason in our soul to the things which are by nature most evident of all."
~ Aristotle
Webkinz Stuffed Bat
Webkinz Plush Stuffed Animal Black Bat
Amazon Price: $6.22 (as of 02/16/2012)
This is the newest toy fad. It comes with a secret code that is your key into Webkinz World. At the Adoption Center you are guided through the registration, including naming your pet and printing out an adoption certificate. You'll receive your pet's biography, letting you know its favorite foods and secret wishes.
2. Pumpkins (Jack-O-Lanterns)
Spirits of The Dead
Orange Pumpkins carved to make Scary Jack-O-Lantern faces are one of the most common symbol of Halloween seen today.The color orange is the color of fire; as a fire color, orange is thought by some to bring about action and positive change for the season ahead. The candles placed inside the pumpkin can also represent a bringing of light into the darkness.
Jack-O-Lantern literally means "Jack of the Lantern"; because an old Irish legend tells of a cursed man named Jack. When Jack died he was not allowed to enter heaven or hell, so he wandered aimlessly with only a candle lit in a hollowed out turnip to guide him. To keep his restless spirit from their homes, villagers would carve scary faces into the turnips and place them in their windows at night. Thus the flickering flames from the Jack-O-Lantern eventually became associated with the spirits of the dead.
When the Irish immigrants came to the United States they began to use the more commonly available pumpkins rather then turnips, and the practice continues every October to this day.
"May Jack-o-lanterns burning bright
Of soft and golden hue
Pierce through the future's veil and show
What fate now holds for you."
~ Author Unknown
Solar Pumpkin Light
Medium Scrollwork Solar Pumpkin
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3. Witches
Supernatural Beings
Witches are often thought to have the supernatural powers needed to use rituals, potions and spells to connect and manipulate the energy of the spirit realm.It was once said that the only way to meet a real witch, you had to put your clothes on the wrong side out and walk backwards at midnight, on Halloween night.
Legends tell of witches gathering twice a year when the seasons changed, on April 30 - the eve of May Day and on the eve of October 31 - All Hallows Eve. According to old wives tales, the witches would arrive on broomsticks, to celebrate with the devil, transform themselves into other beings and cast evil spells on unsuspecting people.
The Witches Caldron
"Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog
Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg, and owlet's wing
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and babble
Double, double, toil and trouble,
Fire burn, and caldron bubble"
~ William Shakespeare
Halloween Witch Crash!
Witch Splat Tree Wrap
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List Price: $47.52
Uh-oh...this wicked witch wasn't looking where she was flying and ended up smashed against your tree! Crashing Witch Halloween Decoration is 3 feet high. Wonderfully detailed with purple hair, bright green hands, and straw-look broom.
4. Gravestones
Visitors from Beyond The Grave
Gravestones are where the world of the living can meet the world of the dead.Halloween, like the Mexican Day of the Dead, celebrates visitors from the spirit world.
Early grave markers, or gravestones, were actually heavy rocks and boulders that were placed on graves, because it was believed they were needed to keep the dead from rising from their graves.
In Europe and in Old New England, carvings on gravestone markers were mostly images of pain, torment and eternal damnation, this was thought to frighten the living into maintaining a life of virtue. Images were usually variations of skeletons, angels of death and dark winged skulls.
"At first cock-crow the ghosts must go
Back to their quiet graves below."
~ Theodosia Garrison
Gravestone Lawn Decoration
Gravestone Lawn Decoration (Pack of 6)
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This Halloween turn your lawn into a haunted graveyard with fun and spooky foam tombstones!
5. Black Cats
Witchcraft
Black cats have long been believed to be a symbol of the supernatural.Egyptians considered cats sacred and symbolic of their goddess Bast, protectress of the Pharaoh and of women. Bast was seen as a cat or a cat-headed woman, she was considered the divine Mother of all cats. The Roman goddess linked to Bast, was Diana. In the Middle Ages, Diana was thought to be the "Queen of Witches" and thus, cats were thought to be related to witchcraft and considered a common pet and familiar of the witch.
Since the witch hunts of the middle ages, when cats were connected to evil and witchcraft, the black cat is often associated with misfortune and bad omens. It is considered particularly bad luck if a black cat crosses your path. Ironically, a black cat walking towards you is considered lucky, while one walking away is said to be stealing your luck.
"When black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam,
May luck be yours on Halloween."
~ Author Unknown
Black Cat Stuffed Animal
Webkinz
Webkinz Halloween Black Cat Limited Edition
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Webkinz Black Cat Special Edition. Cat plush is made of several different fabrics. Both cotton stuffed and beanie. Tag on arm contains a code for the Webkinz "Adopt A Pet" website, virtual pet game.
6. Skull and Crossbones
Death and Danger
The skull and crossbones were once deemed to be warnings of danger, death and disease.The Skull is the seat of our wisdom and our power to think. It reminds us of our mortality and the impermanence of life.
In alchemy, the skull represents the receptacle used in the process of transformation. Bones also represent death, and a return to the earth. The skull and crossbones represent poison and danger to pirates; whether pictured on a bottle or emblazoned on the black flag of a ship, these two symbols evoked fear of imminent death.
"Webster was much possessed by death, and saw the skull beneath the skin."
~ T.S. Eliot
7. Owls
Wisdom or Darkness
Owls are often associated with witches, especially at Halloween.At one time it was believed that owls would swoop down on Halloween night and eat the souls of the dying.
"The wailing owl screams solitary to the mournful moon."
~ David Mallet
Although the owl is a classic symbol of wisdom, it is feared by some cultures, which are uncomfortable with the night. Owls are connected with sorcery, silence, death and the ability to see through darkness or deception. Since it hides in darkness and fears the light it has often come to symbolize the "Prince of Darkness", Satan.
The occasional presence of the Owl in scenes of the Crucifixion is due to the Owl's most ancient attribute of wisdom, and with this meaning, it represents Christ, Who sacrificed Himself to save mankind, "To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. . ." (Luke 1:7).
Animated Owl
Easy Gardener 8021 Garden Defense Electronic Sensor Owl
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"Eat, drink, and be scary. "
~ Author Unknown
Your Scary Thoughts About Halloween?
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Reply
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sans300
Nov 14, 2011 @ 9:14 am | delete
- Frightening indeed!
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Reply
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LcArt23
Oct 22, 2011 @ 10:17 am | delete
- Interesting stuff :)
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Reply
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KonaGirl
Oct 4, 2011 @ 9:47 am | delete
- Love it! One of the best times of the year!
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Reply
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emmalarkins
Oct 2, 2011 @ 11:43 am | delete
- These pictures give me the creeps - in a good way! Blessed!
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Reply
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Epic_Noob
Jul 22, 2011 @ 2:57 am | delete
- Spooky stuff. :)
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