Most of us think of Halloween as a night of costumes, candy, and fun. But behind the playful trick-or-treating lies a much older layer of tradition, one filled with eerie beliefs and superstitions.
For centuries, people have thought of October 31st as a time when the boundary between the living and the dead grows thin, allowing spirits to wander freely. No wonder so many unusual customs, omens, and rituals became attached to this spooky holiday.
From predicting the future to warding off evil spirits, Halloween superstitions have been passed down through generations. Some are lighthearted, some are a little creepy, and others are surprisingly romantic! Whether you believe in them or just enjoy the folklore, these tales give Halloween its unmistakable air of mystery.
Here are 23 fascinating Halloween superstitions, and what they mean.
The Crossroads and the Wind
It was once believed that if you stopped at a crossroads on Halloween night and listened carefully to the wind, you could hear secrets about your future. The whispers carried on the breeze were said to reveal what the year ahead held in store.
The Apple and the Mirror
One of the most famous Halloween love superstitions tells young women to stand in front of a mirror at midnight, comb their hair, and eat an apple. If they were lucky, the face of their future husband would appear behind them in the glass.
A gentler version involved peeling an apple in one long strip and tossing it over the left shoulder. The peel was thought to fall into the shape of the first letter of a future partner’s name.
Don’t Kill the Spider
Seeing a spider on Halloween night was considered a powerful omen. Many believed it could be the soul of a deceased loved one, quietly visiting from the other side. Instead of fearing it, people were urged to respect and protect the spider.
The Logan Stone
According to folklore, touching a logan stone (a naturally balanced, rocking stone) nine times on Halloween night would transform you into a witch. While no one wants to accidentally sprout warts and fly off on a broomstick, this superstition reflects the deep association between Halloween and witchcraft.
Inside-Out Pockets
Evil spirits were thought to roam freely on Halloween, but there was a simple way to protect yourself: turn your pockets inside out. Anyone who did so would be safe from wandering ghosts and mischievous spirits for the night.
The Salted Herring Dream
A more unusual superstition advised eating a salted herring before bed on Halloween. It was said that doing so would cause your future lover to appear in your dreams, perhaps bringing a drink of water to quench your thirst.
Babies Born on Halloween
Far from being unlucky, a baby born on October 31st was believed to be specially blessed. Such children were thought to be protected for life against evil spirits and misfortune, making their birthday a sign of strength rather than fear.
The Ring in the Potatoes
In some traditions, families prepared a dish of mashed potatoes on Halloween and hid a ring inside. The person who found the ring in their serving would be the first to marry. This playful ritual added both suspense and festivity to the evening meal.
The Fortune of the Nuts
To test the fate of a romance, people named two nuts, one for themselves and one for their sweetheart, and placed them on hot coals. If the nuts burned steadily together, marriage was certain. But if the nut representing the beloved popped or rolled away, the match was doomed.
The Bat’s Omen
Seeing a bat fluttering close by on Halloween night was thought to be a warning. Some believed it meant that witches were nearby, or worse, that someone was trying to use witchcraft against you.
The Power of Divination
Many of these superstitions reveal how Halloween was once seen as a night of divination, a time to peer into the future, especially concerning love and marriage. From apples to nuts to dreams, young people eagerly looked for signs of what the coming year might bring.
Bonus Halloween Lore
Owls hooting on Halloween – believed to be witches in disguise or omens of death.
Black cats crossing your path – thought to bring either bad luck or protection, depending on the culture.
Jack-o’-lanterns – carved faces were originally meant to scare away evil spirits.
Candles in windows – lighting a candle was said to guide lost souls home and keep harmful spirits away.
Throwing nuts into the fire – young lovers would throw nuts into the flames; if they burned together, the relationship would last.
Horseshoes above the door – kept witches and wandering spirits from entering the home.
If you hear footsteps behind you – it was believed to be spirits following; looking back could invite them in.
Candle fortunes – dripping wax into water on Halloween night would reveal shapes predicting the future.
Meeting a witch – if you wore your clothes inside out and walked backward on Halloween, you would see a witch at midnight.
Unmarried women and kale – pulling up a stalk of kale blindfolded would predict the shape and nature of a future husband.
Bobbing for apples – whoever bit into an apple first would be the next to marry.
A ringing bell – ringing church bells on Halloween was said to chase away evil spirits.
The Mystery Lives On
Today, most of us don’t take these superstitions literally, but they remain a fascinating glimpse into how earlier generations saw the world. Halloween wasn’t just about fear, it was about mystery, protection, and the hope of glimpsing what lay ahead.
So this October 31st, as you carve pumpkins and enjoy candy, spare a thought for these old beliefs. Who knows? If you notice a spider, hear the wind at a crossroads, or feel brave enough to eat salted herring before bed, you might just connect with a little piece of Halloween’s magical past.
