RJA GHOST TOURS LOGO

The Haunting History Of Halloween Traditions

History TO Make Your Skin Crawl 

The Haunting History Of Halloween Traditions
We are all familiar with the modern-day traditions that make Halloween the fun and spooky holiday that it is, but how well do you know the history behind the traditions? Carving pumpkins, canvassing the neighborhood for candy, and fun party games all have deeper roots than you’d think, and we will take a closer look at them in today’s post. As your go-to source for haunted tours in San Antonio, RJA Ghost Tours is here to make Halloween 2018 one you remember for the rest of your life. Book your San Antonio ghost tour today!

Halloween Traditions and Their History

Jack-O-Lanterns

The origin of this tradition is rooted in Irish folklore. Legend has it that Jack, the local town drunk, trapped the devil in a tree. Jack only agreed to let the devil down under the agreement that Satan would never own is soul. Jack thought this gave him permission to lead a horrible, sinful life. When he died, he was not permitted into Heaven, and he wasn’t taken to Hell, either. Rather, he was doomed to live in purgatory, wandering the earth in search of an eternal resting place. To light his way, it is said that he placed a red-hot coal in a turnip to create a makeshift lantern. 

Bobbing for Apples

Halloween has deep roots in Celtic mythology, and given that apples are often associated with the Otherworld, it is not surprising that they play an important role in Halloween history. Bobbing for apples used to be a method of divination that was performed by women around Halloween to predict who they would marry. How? They would mark an apple and toss it into a bucket of water. They believed they were destined to marry whoever pulled the apple from the water.

Trick-Or-Treating

The tradition of going door to door in search of treats is one that is a mixture of many traditions. For example, Medieval Englanders used to trade prayers for rich people’s souls in exchange for sweet, spicy soul cakes, and Celts would don costumes of evil spirits in an effort to confuse demons. While wearing costumes, medieval Europeans would parade through local neighborhoods, singing, dancing, and playing tricks. Trick-or-treating as we know it in America didn’t become popular until the 1920s, and many adults thought it was a mischievous method of extortion until the 1950s. 

Book a Haunted Tour in San Antonio!

Looking to add a spooky tradition to your Halloween routine? Why not make a haunted tour around town something that you and your friends or family do each October to get you into the Halloween spirit? The Certified Tourism Ambassadors at RJA Ghost Tours will take you to some of San Antonio’s most famous haunts and provide you with the historical facts behind the folklore and legend. Ready to get started? 

Share This Post

The Haunted Oakwood Cemetery
By Robert Anthony August 25, 2024
Discover the chilling history and ghost stories of Oakwood Cemetery, Austin’s oldest burial ground. From grave robbing to paranormal activity, learn all about this haunted site then join RJA GHOST TOURS on an Austin Ghost Tour!
The Old Nueces County Courthouse
By Robert Anthony August 22, 2024
Discover the eerie ghost stories of the Old Nueces County Courthouse in Corpus Christi, from the Woman in White to the spirits of those lost in the 1900 hurricane. Explore the paranormal with RJA GHOST TOURS!
The Texas State Capital
By Robert Anthony August 22, 2024
Discover the chilling ghost stories of the Texas State Capitol, from the Lady in Red to the tragic tale of Robert Love's murder. Explore Austin's haunted history with RJA GHOST TOURS.
House in Heritage Park in Corpus Christi.
By Robert Anthony August 22, 2024
Explore the eerie ghost stories of Heritage Park in Corpus Christi. Discover haunted houses like the Sidbury House, Grande-Grossman House, and more. Join RJA GHOST TOURS for an unforgettable ghost tour in Corpus Christi.
Paranormal Glossary
By Robert Anthony May 15, 2023
Explore our comprehensive paranormal glossary and unravel the mysteries of the supernatural world. From ghosts and hauntings to psychic abilities and mysterious phenomena, our glossary provides definitions and insights into the terminology associated with paranormal investigations. Expand your knowledge and dive into the realm of the unknown.
Teater Seats
By Robert Anthony March 23, 2022
The Aztec Theatre has a colorful and somewhat checkered past. Read on to learn why the Aztec Theatre has made its way on the RJA Ghost Tours blog, and contact us today to book a tour in San Antonio or Corpus Christi!
Woman Standing At The Window With Wedding Veil
By Robert Anthony December 8, 2021
The Legend of La Llorona has kept unruly children in line for hundreds of years. But who was La Llorona? Learn all about this tale and others from RJA Ghost Tours!
Foggy School Bus
By Robert Anthony December 8, 2021
The San Antonio Ghost Tracks are widely believed to be some of the most haunted train tracks in America. Here is the story behind their renown, brought to you by RJA Ghost Tours.
Enter The Unknown
By Robert Anthony November 5, 2021
Read more about the paranormal beliefs in America and how they’ve affected our culture and our society! Experience the paranormal with RJA Ghost Tours!
The 13th Floor Haunted House Building
By Robert Anthony October 29, 2021
The paranormal investigation team of RJA GHOST TOURS investigated The 13th Floor Haunted House. In this post read about our investigation and explore the unknown of this haunted, haunted house.
More Posts
Share by: