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8 Interesting & Spooky Halloween Facts

With Halloween only days away, now is the time to learn about Halloween facts! And if you haven’t yet celebrated the spookiest time of year, now is the time to do so.

So, don’t wait! There’s still time to put together a D-I-Y costume. There’s time to carve pumpkins, have a scary movie marathon, and visit a haunted house.

There’s also still time to learn about the true meaning of this glorious holiday. What are some cool Halloween facts related to trick-or-treating, movies, and costumes? How is Halloween celebrated in other parts of the world? What are the origins of Halloween history, anyway?

Ready to learn everything there is to know about the best time of year? Here are 8 of the best and spookiest Halloween facts!

1. Halloween Has Origins Dating Back 2,000 Years

Did you know that Halloween is not just about dressing up and eating candy? In fact, Halloween day commemorates the start of Allhallowtide.

Allhallowtide a 3-day celebratory period in the Christian faith. Over the course of these 3 days, Christians honor the dead, as well as their saints.

Allhallowtide has been around since the formation of Christianity. Several Christian denominations celebrate it differently… but all centered around commemorating the souls of those who have passed.

2. Halloween Has Ties with Samhain

Have you ever wondered why the concept of ghosts is so prevalent during the month of October? Why are people so fixated on dressing up as ghosts? Why are humans so fascinated with the idea of haunted houses?

There are a lot of misconceptions about Halloween being a pagan, even a Satanist, holiday. In actuality, Halloween is a Christian holiday… and it’s also tied with another celebration known as Samhain.

Samhain is not so much a holiday as it is a seasonal celebration. Hundreds of years ago, Gaelic and Celtic tribes would celebrate the end of the harvest season. They called the time of year surrounding November 1st as Samhain. And it was a period when people would come together, gather their food, and prepare for winter.

Samhain is also believed to be a time when the spirits of those who have passed are able to cross into this world. Many Celtic and Gaelic tribes would provide food offerings to these spirits. They believed that by doing so, the spirits would bring good fortune to them for the winter ahead.

3. The Idea of Costumes Originated from Samhain

Halloween history is deeply rooted in Allhallowtide and Samhain. So, it’s no wonder why ghosts and Halloween go hand-in-hand. But why do we dress up in costumes every Halloween… and where did this idea come from?

It’s true that North Americans brought the concept of dressing up to prominence. In the 20th century, Americans and Canadians began to wear costumes around this time of year. By the mid-20th century, trick-or-treating was an all-out custom.

But despite all that, the Americans weren’t the first ones to wear costumes this time of year. The Celtic and Gaelic tribes which celebrated Samhain innovated costume wearing. And they did so in commemoration of the spirits who visited our world around the end of October.

In fact, the old belief was that if you could trick a spirit in disguise, they would leave you alone. This would prevent the tribesmen from having to offer food and treats.

4. Jack-o-Lanterns Were Not Always Made from Pumpkins

Ah, Jack-o-Lanterns. The quintessential Halloween decoration. It’s a custom that families look forward to every year. But where does the concept of the Jack-o-Lantern come from? And have we always used pumpkins to carve out spooky faces?

The term Jack-o-Lantern actually translates to “fool of the fire” in traditional English. The custom of carving out Jack-o-Lanterns began in Ireland around 300 years ago.

But Jack-o-Lanterns were not always carved out of pumpkins. The Irish used to carve them out of turnips and other root vegetables.

According to Irish folklore, Jack-o-Lanterns got their name from a man named… You guessed it… Jack! But this was no ordinary man. This Jack was a man who had tricked the Devil so many times that he was not allowed in Heaven nor Hell. Instead, Jack had no other choice but to wander Earth until the end of days. And he’d wave a lantern and trick those who ever crossed his path.

We may still carve pumpkins in honor of this old Irish custom. But carving out vegetables was not a concept that the Irish invented. Maori tribes would also carve out vegetables several hundred years ago. But we can still credit the Gaelic and Celtic tribes of centuries past for making the practice of carving what it is today.

5. People Used to Ask for Cakes Instead of “Treats”

Trick-or-treating may be an activity that little kids get to do every October 31st. But did you know that the activity has a deeper meaning in Halloween history?

During medieval times, impoverished Christians would go door-to-door around Halloween day. But instead of receiving candy, they’d receive round treats known as soul cakes. Many would offer prayers to the dead, especially to the relatives of those passing out the soul cakes.

6. The Color Scheme of Orange & Black Is Not Random

Have you ever wondered why black and orange are the predominant Halloween colors?

You’re not alone. People often wonder why we decorate our homes and clothing with orange and black this time of year. And there are a few reasons as to why we do.

Orange is, of course, a common color we see this time of year with pumpkins and the changing leaves. So, where does black come into play?

Taking previous Halloween facts into consideration, black is reminiscent of Samhain. Halloween day marks the transition from the lighter, warmer days to the darker months to come.

As we all know, there’s less light in the winter. So, black signifies what’s to come while the orange celebrates the colors of this time of year.

7. Mexicans Celebrate the Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead celebration has grown increasingly popular in recent years. It’s true that the ghoulish aesthetic of this celebration makes for great costumes. But there’s actually a real reason to dress up as a Day of the Dead saint this time of year.

This time of year, Mexican Catholics celebrate the Day of the Dead on November 1st and 2nd. It’s known as Dias de Los Muertos. And on this day, Mexicans will dress up as skeletons… and even parade around with sugar skulls, candles, and adult-sized fake skeletons.

Every town celebrates Dias de Los Muertos a little bit differently. But in most places, it’s not uncommon for people to light candles and hold vigils. It’s also not uncommon for them to decorate their homes and eat a sugared bread known as “pan de muerto”.

8. Bats Are Not Entirely Tied to Vampires

It’s no secret that people’s fascination with vampires comes out this time of year. We tend to associate vampires with bats. After all, vampire folklore suggests that vampires can transform into bats.

And yes. People like to decorate their houses with bats this time of year. But they may not fully understand the correlation with bats and Halloween history.

Back in the days of Samhain, it was common for Celtic and Gaelic tribes to burn bonfires. These bonfires would then attract mosquitoes, moths, and other insects. This would in hand attract hungry bats who liked to feed on these creepy and crawly creatures.

Share Halloween Facts with Your Friends & Family This Year!

There you have it, folks. 8 of the spookiest and most interesting Halloween facts you may have not known about. With Halloween only days away, now is the time to celebrate… and what better way to do that than to share these facts with your friends and family!

Speaking of which… There’s still plenty of time to buy your tickets to Thrillvania Haunted House park. We’re open Halloween night… and tickets are selling fast!

Creepiest Nursery Rhymes of All Time

It’s no secret that the wholesome stories we know and love, like ‘Cinderella’ and ‘Peter Pan’, are actually derived from very dark and disturbing fairy tales. And when it comes to children’s nursery rhymes, their roots are also not so innocent.

Of course, a lot of the words and meanings have been changed over time, but there’s still plenty of blood, guts, gore, and witchcraft at their core. At Thrillvania Haunted House Park in Terrell, TX, we enjoy retelling these tales again and again, and we’d like to share them with you, too.

If you’re looking for fun and creepy ways to celebrate Halloween with your family, here are some of the scariest nursery rhymes of all time!

Three Blind Mice

The tale of the ‘Three Blind Mice’ is beloved by many for its gleeful charm, but the real story behind this classic nursery rhyme is anything but. In actuality, it’s a tale about three mice who have their tails chopped off by a farmer’s wife. The character of the wife was actually inspired by Queen Mary I, who goes down in history as “Bloody Mary” for her murderous reign.

brown rodent eating grass

The three blind mice symbolize the noblemen of that time period, who resented Queen Mary and her role in introducing Catholicism to England. Queen Mary would burn any of her opposition at the stake, which inspired the mice to have their tails chopped off with a butcher knife. 

Next time you’re singing this one to your kids, you can feel good knowing that you’re also giving them a nice history lesson about England’s gruesome history, too! 

Rock-A-Bye Baby

Of course, there’s already something eerie about the tale of a baby in a crib that’s perched on a the treetop. After all, it doesn’t sound too safe, and it ends with the baby and the crib falling down.

But of all the classic nursery rhymes, ‘Rock-a-Bye Baby’ is known to soothe children (and sometimes their parents) right into a peaceful slumber. Yet, this calm and lovely lullaby has a spooky origin straight out of a nightmare.

The story is supposedly about King James II and Mary of Modena stealing a baby. Desperate to have a Catholic heir to their throne, they made the stolen baby their own. So, in actuality, this little lullaby is about kidnapping and raising the baby to be a king with a fallen fate.

Ring Around the Rosie

Contrary to popular belief, ‘Ring Around the Rosie’ was not about children dancing happily around a rose bush. Instead, it was referring to the red, circular rash that was common with the bubonic plague.

During the earliest pandemics, it was widely believed that the disease spread through a peculiar, foul smell. This is why people carried around pockets of flowers and other scented things. So, the line “pocket full of posies” was not meant to create a rosy picture.

‘Ring Around the Rosie’ can actually pave the way for a lesson in the bubonic plague and what life was like centuries ago. Many nursery rhymes were born of disease, peril, and disaster. We sing them to our children now as fun little ways to pass the time, but the true stories behind them give gruesome glimpses into the past.

Sing the Creepiest Nursery Rhymes to Your Little Ones

Taking your kids trick-or-treating and carving pumpkins are always the epitome of Halloween. But if you’re looking for unique and educational ways to celebrate this year, sing these nursery rhymes to your kids — and tell the history, too.

Of course, nursery rhymes won’t always do it for those daring kids who love scary movies, action-packed adventures, and everything about Halloween. Families from all over Terrell, TX, and the Greater Dallas region travel to visit Thrillvania Haunted House Park every year. While our haunted house attractions aren’t meant for little ones, older kids can certainly enjoy the thrills that lurk around every corner. If you’re looking for an exhilarating way to immerse your child in Halloween this year, grab your tickets to Thrillvania today!

Are Vampires Real? Discover the Real Story About Them!

Nosferatu. Dracula. The Lost Boys. And yes… even Twilight.

These are just some of the most famous vampire stories in cinematic history. But the truth is that there are dozens upon dozens more works of vampire fiction out there… from books to TV shows and even urban legends.

We all know them as the pale, immortal, blood-thirsty creatures of the night. But are vampires real?

If you’ve dabbled with enough vampire fiction, you’ve probably wondered this same question… and possibly others.

Where does the concept of vampires originate from? Where in the world is vampire folklore still influential? And what are the most famous vampire legends of all time?

In honor of our own vampiress, Lady Cassandra, Thrillvania is here to finally put the old question to rest:

Are vampires real? Read on to find out!

 

 

What Is a Vampire? Are Vampires Real?

 

Man’s long fascination with vampires is possibly rooted in our understanding of mortality. No one can live forever. But many of us wish we could.

To grapple with this, humans conceptualized immortal beings back in the ancient times… and they continue to do so to this day.

Vampirism may be the most prominent fictionalized concept of immortality. The concept not only entails the belief in vampires but their practices, as well.

In case you’re not already familiar, let us bring you up to speed. Vampires are supposedly reanimated beings who are not dead but not living.

To survive, they must feed on the energy of the living, usually blood. Some believe that vampires have deadly aversions to sunlight, garlic, or holy water. It’s often believed that they can’t cast reflections, can’t go out in the day, can turn into bats, or sleep in coffins.

But these beliefs can vary depending on which vampire folklore you’re following.

So, are vampires real?

Likely not. One scientist even proved that it’s mathematically impossible for vampires to exist. Because if they did, every human on earth would be a vampire at this point in time.

Despite this, many people still believe that vampires exist. And it’s no wonder that they do if you consider the long history of the vampire as a myth.

 

The History of Vampirism

 

Vampires are one of the oldest creatures in the history of mythology.

It’s widely believed that an Italian man named Ambrogio became the first vampire. It’s believed that a prophet known as the Pythia cursed him in the Greek city of Delphi. He later formed the first vampire clan back in Italy.

Then there were the Hebrews, who believed in Alukah, a monster who fed on the blood of other animals. Meanwhile, others believe that the concept of vampires originated in Mesopotamia, Egypt, or as far east as Tibet. But over time, vampire folklore evolved into what we know it as today from places like Romania and Serbia. And as Catholicism spread, so did the legends and beliefs surrounding vampiric practices.

The history of vampirism is long – to say the least. To understand the history better, it helps to learn more about famous vampire legends. Which we’ll delve into next!

 

Lilith

 

In Jewish mythology, it’s believed that the first vampire was a female entity known as Lilith. In Hebrew, the name Lilith derives from the word “Lila”, which translates to night. And Lilith as a Jewish myth is synonymous with “creature of the night”.

According to the legend, Lilith was Adam’s first wife. After disobeying him, she’s transformed into a demonic, immortal entity. To survive, she feeds on the innocent living, while also preying on men’s desires.

 

Sava Savanović

 

In the Serbian village of Zarožje comes the rural legend of Sava Savanović. It’s believed that this vampire kills those who visit the local watermill deep in the valley. He may not be one of the first vampires in Serbian folklore. But he is one of the most famous.

The actual watermill itself connects to the Rogačica River. The watermill operated until the 1950’s. And today, the town of Zarožje is a popular tourist attraction among vampire fans.

 

Vlad the Impaler

 

Dracula’s the quintessential vampire, with fangs and a black cape, right? In the 19th century Irish novel, yes. But the legend of Dracula is actually inspired by the true story of Vlad the Impaler.

Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Vlad Dracula or Vlad III, ruled over what is now modern-day Romania. Back then it was Wallachia, and Vlad held three reigns between 1448 and 1476.

So, where does the Impaler part come into play?

He’s recognized for defeating the Ottomans and protecting Transylvania and the rest of Europe. But he’s also known for being a harsh ruler who impaled anyone – poor or aristocratic – who opposed him.

And that’s not even the half of it. Vlad the Impaler is also known for dipping bread into the blood of those impaled… and eating it. Hence, the inspiration for Dracula the vampire as we know him today.

 

Countess Elizabeth Bathory

 

It may be mathematically impossible for vampires to exist. But throughout history, there have been people who’ve done things to make you think twice.

Take Countess Elizabeth Bathory, for example. Not only was she born in Transylvania, the supposed motherland of vampires. She was a Hungarian noblewoman in the late 1500’s to the early 1600’s… and an alleged serial killer, as well.


In fact, reports indicate that she kidnapped, tortured, and murdered hundreds of girls. She’d smother her servant girls in honey and allow bees and other insects to attack them. It’s even said that she bit the flesh off of her victims and bathed in the blood of virgins to preserve her youth.

 

Chiang-Shih

 

There’s no doubt that there’s a strong presence of vampire folklore in Europe. But vampires are also present in Chinese folklore.

The Chiang-Shih, for example, is the belief that everyone has an inner vampire. According to Chinese belief, everyone has two souls: a superior soul and an inferior one.

Unlike vampires who can rise from the dead, the Chiang-Shih is capable of leaving the body as it sleeps. The superior soul is what leaves the physical body to wander and possess others. It’s also known for having red eyes and long claws.

 

Satisfy Your Appetite for Vampires This Halloween

 

So, are vampires real?

It’s tough to say. Physicists and mathematicians may have proved that it’s impossible for them to exist. But if you’re someone who believes in the paranormal, who’s to say that vampires can’t exist, as well?

If you’re a fan of vampire legends, Thrillvania Haunted House has the perfect experience in store for you! Experience the horrors that Vampress Lady Cassandra left behind at Verdun Manor… and those that her werewolf husband, Baron Verdun, left behind, as well.

Get your tickets today through November 3rd!