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HALLOWEEN GOSSIP
The first Jack O'Lanterns were actually made from turnips.
The owl is a popular Halloween image. In Medieval Europe, owls were thought to be witches, and to hear an owl's call meant someone was about to die.
Trick-or-treating evolved from the ancient Celtic tradition of putting out treats and food to placate spirits who roamed the streets at Samhain, a sacred festival that marked the end of the Celtic calendar year.
Halloween has variously been called All Hallows' Eve, Witches Night, Lambswool, Snap-Apple Night, Samhaim, and Summer's End.
Scottish girls believed they could see images of their future husband if they hung wet sheets in front of the fire on Halloween. Other girls believed they would see their boyfriend's faces if they looked into mirrors while walking downstairs at midnight on Halloween.
In 2010, 72.2% of those surveyed by the National Retail Federation will hand out candy, 46.3% will carve a pumpkin, 20.8% will visit a haunted house, and 11.5% will dress up their pets.
Halloween celebrations in Hong Kong are known as Yue Lan or the "Festival of the Hungry Ghosts" during which fires are lit and food and gifts are offered to placate potentially angry ghosts who might be looking for revenge.
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