Happy Halloween!

On October 31st, we celebrate Halloween,thought to be the one night of the year when ghosts, witches, and fairies are especially active.

Color Associations

There are many colors and symbols that are associated with Halloween. Whilst black and orange are the traditional colors of Halloween, other colors are also now popular. Some of the more popular ones are:

• Black = death, night, witches, black cats, bats, vampires
• Orange = pumpkins, jack o'lanterns, Autumn, the turning leaves, fire
• Purple = night, the supernatural, mysticism
• Green = goblins, monsters, zombies, aliens, Frankenstein
• White = ghosts, mummies, a full moon
• Red = blood, fire, demons

Traditional Symbols of Halloween

The most traditional symbol of Halloween is the pumpkin   which is usually carved out and lit with a candle and placed on the home's doorstep after dark. This carved pumpkin is sometimes called a Jack-o'-lantern. In Ireland and Scotland a turnip was normally carved instead of a pumpkin. 

Some things associated with Halloween are:

• bats
• black cats
• crows
• goblins
• haunted houses
• horror movies
• owls
• spiders
• spider webs

Trick or Treat

Trick or treat is the term used for children being dressed in costumes and going from house to house asking for candy. The children usually knock on the neighbor's door and say:

• "Trick or Treat. Trick or Treat. Give me something good to eat!"

Trick is the supposed threat that something bad (or mischievous) will happen to the person if they do not receive a treat (a candy, sweets or something similar). Of course kids normally don't do anything bad. Parents often walk around the streets with their kids to make sure nothing bad happens.

Vocabulary game about Halloween.