Pumpkin Nook

The Internet Shrine and Library for Pumpkins

Home

Channels:
Market
How to Grow
Giant Pumpkins
Community
Fun and Games
Facts/Education
Cookbook
Halloween
Thanksgiving
Kid Stuff
Search Site

Other:
Readers Say:
Free Newsletter
Advertise
Gardener's Net
Holiday Insights
HI Greeting Cards

Shop Us for:

Seasonal:
Halloween
Thanksgiving
Christmas
Other Holidays
Carving Stuff
Fog Machine
Jello Molds
Costume 'n Makeup
Lights
House Flags
Candles
Decorations
Kitchen/Party Supply

Gardening:
Annual Seeds
Perennials Seeds
Vegetable Seeds
Herb Seeds
Organic Seed/Supply
Flower Bulbs
Composters
Greenhouses
Houseplants
Planters
Raised Beds
Supplies
Tools

Yard & Deck:
Grills
Hammocks
Hose Carts/Reels
Outdoor Fireplace
Outdoor Storage Statues/Elves
Pest Control

Halloween Traditions, Symbols and Terms

Rich in tradition, Halloween has no shortage of symbols and terms.  Halloween parties are not complete without los of spooky decorations to set the mood. Here is a listing of Halloween traditions and terms, for your enjoyment and use.

All Hallow's Eve - Another word for Halloween night.

Bats - Bats are part of the dark, sinister side of Halloween. Bats are purported to suck the blood of victims. Bats can turn into vampires,  and vice versa. More on bats.

Black Cat - a symbol of bad luck. Don't let a black cat cross your path, or you will certainly come upon  a string of bad luck. Black cats are associated with witches. SOme witches are known to be able to transform to a black cat and back.

Dracula, Count Dracula - The evil lord of the castle in Transylvania.  When the moon is full,  Dracula turns into a Vampire. About Count Dracula

Frankenstein - A monster created in the laboratory of scientist Victor Frankenstein. Frankenstein has a gentle and intelligent personality.  But, you wouldn't know that. His scary, monstrous appearance causes everyone to run before getting a chance to know him. More on Frankenstein.

Full Moon - Vampires arise out their coffins only at night and only during a full moon.

Garlic and Garlic Necklaces - ward off evil spirits, a vampire will not venture near the neck of a woman who wears a garlic necklace, mo matter how beautiful she may be. The only problem is, normal, good lucking guys will avoid her, too.  

Ghosts - They can be good ghosts or bad ghosts. They can be friendly, or terrifying. Ghosts are poor souls who have died and are trapped between this life and the next. The "in between" place is called the netherworld. 

Ghoul -  a ghoul is a scary creature, similar to a ghost. But a ghoul is simply scary and has little character. It wasn't previously a human being as a ghost was.  And, unlike some ghosts, a ghoul is never friendly.

Goblins - similar to ghosts and ghouls.

Grim Reaper - is the fictional personification of death. He is dressed in a long, black robe with a hood. Sometimes you can see a skeletal face. The Grim Reaper carries a long handled scythe(or sickle).  The Grim Reaper comes at death to take bad people to hell. More on the Grim Reaper.

Halloween Costumes - If you are going to a Halloween party or out to Trick or Treat, you need to dress up in a costume.  No costume, no treats. Halloween costumes can be friendly or scary, simple or elaborate. If you don't' have money for a costume, be creative and make your own. More on Halloween Costumes.

Haunted Hayrides - Wildly popular with pre-teens and teens. They will wait hours  for their turn on a hayride to get a dose of scares and frights. They will go on the hayrides in rain (snow) or (moon)shine.

Haunted House - Ghosts inhabit the house. There's bats in the belfry. Evils spirits abound.  People avoid haunted houses for good reason. Except for Halloween. This time of year, people will shell out big bucks for the big scare.

Haunted Hayrides - begin in early October, and continue daily through the month. It's not a hayride if its not haunted. This hugely popular attraction is a boon to farms that hose them. People will wait hours for their rides. They will venture out a haunted hayride despite cold, rain, and even snow!

Jack O'Lantern - also spelled Jack O Lantern. A pumpkin for carving. It's believed the Irish brought the tradition of pumpkin carving to America.

Lighted Pumpkins - Also lighted turnips and rutabagas. Scary faces are carved into pumpkins and a candle is lit inside. They keep the evil spirits away.

Mummy - In some old and ancient cultures, a person who dies is embalmed and wrapped in strips of white cloth. During Halloween mummies come alive and walk around the earth, scaring people. Chances are they won't catch you. And, if they do, what could they do with you all wrapped up from head to foot!?  

Netherworld - A place, or passageway, between heaven and earth.

Paranormal - a strange or unexplained occurrence or incident. It is includes ghosts, witches, crop circles, UFO and other unexplained events. More on Paranormal Activities and events.

Pumpkins - We are proud to say that pumpkins are a huge symbol of both Fall and Halloween. They come in many shapes, sizes ad colors. They look great carved, or uncarved.

Samhain - Is this a season, the Lord of Darkness, or the Lord of Death. Depending upon who you talk to, Samhain can be any, or all of these.  More on Samhain

Scarecrows - Not everything about Halloween is scary. Scarecrows successfully cross over between fall decorations and Halloween. They are popular in decorating for both events, and are much friendlier for young children.

Spooks - A ghoul or a ghost. They take pleasure in scaring people.

Trick or Treat - Children go out dressed up in their Halloween costumes. They knock on doors, and say "Trick or Treat". if they do not get a treat, look out! Trick or Treat was believed to have started with boy scouts.

Warlocks - A male witch of Halloween. Note, a warlock is not related to witches of the Wiccan religion. More on Warlocks

Werewolf  or Wolfman- a man that transforms to a wolf. More on werewolves

Wiccans - A religious group that call themselves wiccans or witches. They will argue vehemently that evil witches of Halloween do not exist.  Here's an interesting theory about wiccans: If you disagree with them, and they are correct, then they can not by definition cast an evil spell on you, as they claim they are good witches. As for me, I will hedge my bets and not say anything nasty......just in case.

Witches - Did you know witches can be good, and witches can be bad. We definitely distinguish a difference between witches of Halloween and witches of the Wiccan religion. Wiccans are nice witches. They just happen to share the same name with Halloween witches. Halloween witches are definitely evil, and can cast evil spell on people. More on Witches

Vampire - An evil creature who rises from their coffin during a full moon to find victims. They bite the necks of victims, sucking out their blood. Victims themselves become vampires. More on Vampires

Pumpkin carving is easier, quicker, and more fun with this battery operated pumpkin carver.

Buy Now!