Halloween: 3 Unusual Or Scary Superstitions
Whether or not one is superstitious by nature, on the evening of October 31st, certain ancient beliefs resurface. We invite you to discover 3 unusual or frightening superstitions inherited from a distant past and still associated with Halloween.
1- Black cats
The color black, which is one of the traditional colors of Halloween along with orange, has been surrounded by legends and superstitions since ancient times.
Even in ancient Egypt, where cats were revered as deities, black cats aroused great aversion. Indeed, this color was associated with mourning, dark-skinned Ethiopian invaders, and Seth, the deity of evil.
Later, when Christianity became the state religion in the Roman Empire, cats were considered satanic creatures, especially those that were entirely black.
It was during the Middle Ages that the black cat became the companion of witches. It was believed that witches were able to transform into black cats, so thousands of cats of this color were burned or crucified. During this time, this animal was considered an incarnation of the devil. If a person encountered a black cat at midnight, they believed that Satan himself was coming to claim their soul!
All these beliefs explain why seeing a black cat is still considered a bad omen for some people today. In other civilizations, this animal is rather seen as a symbol of luck. Whatever your opinion on the matter, this animal is unavoidable on Halloween night, even if nowadays its role is limited to a gently frightening decoration...
2- Bats
Another essential animal in the Halloween bestiary, the bat is associated with witches but also with vampires since the publication of Bram Stoker's novel Dracula in 1897. In this very famous novel, the character of Dracula is indeed capable of transforming into a bat and commanding his winged counterparts...
However, it should be noted that beliefs and traditions associating October 31st with bats are much older than the Irish writer's novel... Even during Celtic times, these animals took part in the celebrations of Samhain!
Tradition dictated that large fires be lit during this night, and the flames around which the Celts danced and sacrificed animals attracted insects... and bats.
During the Middle Ages, it was believed that these winged creatures were in cahoots with witches and heralded death. Even today, seeing a bat fly on Halloween night is considered a very bad omen.
If, unfortunately, this animal circles your house three times, it means that death is coming for you! According to another superstition, if one of them enters your home, it indicates that your house is haunted. It is said that it is the ghost who let the bat in...
3- The full moon
According to another superstition related to this holiday, Halloween night is even scarier if it falls on a full moon. As everyone knows, it is on nights of the full moon that the strangest creatures come out of their hiding places: some cursed humans transform into werewolves or vampires and roam around in search of prey.
It is also said that the full moon triggers the madness of lunatics, a term that formerly referred to epileptic people. Until the 19th century, it was believed that these individuals were subject to the influence of the moon and prone to fits of madness.
Fortunately for superstitious people, it is rare for Halloween to fall on a full moon night. This phenomenon occurs in certain time zones only every 19 years. The last time this happened in France was in 2020. Therefore, you don't have to fear the influence of the full moon on the evening of October 31st until 2039.
In conclusion, know that there are even stranger superstitions circulating about Halloween. If you see a spider on the evening of October 31st, it could be the spirit of a loved one coming to visit you. It is also rumored that a child born on Samhain night has the gift of seeing the deceased and communicating with them.
