Most Popular Spooky Costumes, Myths, Symbols And More

Halloween is the time of the year when people wish to dress up in silly costumes, eat more candy party till dawn. Before you get glammed up for this year's Hallow's Eve, lets take a look how this unique holiday started and evolved, from urban legends and Celtic traditions to Detroit's Devil's Night.

Women dressed as La Catrina pose during celebrations marking the upcoming Day of the Dead in Mexico City

A holiday that originated from ancient pagan customs, Halloween today is not so traditional anymore. It's a celebration where kids dress up their favorite superhero outfits and adults wear whatever they like from Miley to a bloody French Maid. This is an annual colorful celebration with mix parties and scary pranks which has become a far cry from the ancient traditions.

Myths

Halloween can be traced back more than 2,000 years ago when Celtic people used to celebrate Nov. 1 as the New Year's Day called Samhain (SaH-win). On Samhain's Eve, Oct. 31, Celts used to believe that spirits, demons, fairies and other creatures walk the earth as they traveled to the afterlife. To avoid being possessed and confuse the underworld, Celts often wore costumes and sacrificed animals to the gods as they gathered around bonfires to shoo away the evil spirits.

Back in early times, Celts believed that spirits will go from house to house as they scare people in exchange for food and drink. Hence this is what we now celebrate as trick-or-treat. This is perhaps one of the beliefs people around the world leave food and drink outdoor as offerings to supernatural beings. The practice may be different from other countries but it is for the spirit not to scare them.

Symbols

Black cats are a symbol of bad luck. Nowadays, a black cat is a symbol of Halloween and people use it as a decoration. It's bad reputation dates back to the Dark ages when black cats used to be witches' pet.

Pumpkin is associated from the natural phenomenon known as ignis fatuus (fool's fire) or "will o' the wisp, pumpkins or "jack-o-lantern" is of British origin which literally means "man with a lantern."

Witches are burned alive during ancient times when people identify them. Today, dressing up like witches during Halloween is a huge hit. Witches' costumes are readily accessible, even children would like to look spooky when doing trick-or-treat.

10 Most Popular Adults' Halloween Costumes

1. Witch

2. Batman

3. Vampire

4. Zombie

5. Pirate

6. Action / Superhero

7. Superman

8. Dracula

9. Cat

10. Scary costume / Mask

10 Most Popular Children's Halloween Costumes