Hallowe'en Series - Why do we decorate?

 Hi Guys,

So, I thought that I would decorate my house for Hallowe'en this weekend as we have all the kids, then I thought, why DO we decorate?

So, out comes to old internet browser, and there are many theories! 

Many of the different decorations have a different theory behind them, so here I go with a few:

Garlands

The use of garlands made from flora found locally originated before records began, and, as such, is considered a Pagan tradition. 

It is seen as a way of honouring all that is natural, almost like a harvest festival sort of offering.

These days, harvest festivals have changed considerably. When I was a kid, I remember that the schools and churches welcomed homemade goods, these days, everything has to be in a can or packet, but the ethos is the same.

Hanging festive garlands in the house is a way of welcoming the nature spirits into the house for the duration of the cold and dark times ahead, thus ensuring a good Winter or early harvest, the same counts for Christmas garlands too, although the materials are different.

Carved Vegetables

Most people associate pumpkins with this time of year, and we have already covered the Jack-o-Lantern last year, so this will just be my thoughts on the origins.

When I was little, I had never even heard of a pumpkin, much less seen one.

We had members of the squash family in the UK, such as marrows, but the thought of carving them never existed.

We used to carve turnips! 

Let me tell you, it is not an easy thing to do!

If you have never tried it, I suggest that you do. I would say that it could be classed as 'character building'!!

Anyway, I have gone off topic a little.

These grotesque carvings are, like Gargoyles, said to ward off malignant spirits.

Combining these with the garlands (or even wreaths) above, it would suggest that only the beneficial spirits are welcome into the house during the colder times.

Other Decorations

The use of candles at this time is purely to alleviate the darkness. The evenings are getting longer (in the Northern Hemisphere, anyway), so lighting a candle provides warmth and light. Placing them inside of a carved vegetable means that the evil spirits are drawn to the fire, then frightened off by the face of the carving.

Figures, or effigies if you prefer, of popular stereotypes of characters now associated with Hallowe'en include skeletons, ghosts, zombies and witches to name but a few, have become popular in recent years. There is very little to say about these, other than that they are space fillers! 

There are many other things that are now associated with Hallowe'en that are represented in one way or another, such as:

• Bats
• Spiders
• Black cats
• Toadstools
• Skulls
• The moon in various phases
• Cauldrons
• Ravens or crows
• Broomsticks
• Bare or dead trees

Most of these are linked to Hallowe'en because that are associated with being black, nocturnal or poisonous/venomous, or sometimes, all of the above!

We get all the best things!!

I hope this has given you a little insight as to how and why we decorate at Hallowe'en.

Anything I have missed, please let us know in the comments below,

Kerenza x

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