# Halloween customs By [Joseph Ryan](https://paragraph.com/@joseph-ryan) · 2023-03-13 --- Halloween originated in 16th-century Ireland with the Celtic people. Gradually it began to be celebrated in other countries as well. Halloween is now widely celebrated in America, Canada and other European countries. Throughout the ages, every nation has contributed to the customs of this holiday. Therefore, every country celebrates the holiday differently. An important symbol of Halloween in all countries remains Jack's pumpkin lamp. In the past, people dressed up in a death costume for Halloween – dark robes, a dead man's mask on his face and a braid in his hands. In recent years, a variety of Halloween costumes and looks have emerged. These can be images of witches, Satan, vampires, monsters and more. You can also dress up as fairies, cartoon and horror film characters, kings and queens. In America on this day, children go door to door, knock on doors and say'trick or treat'or'trick or treat. These are humorous threats. The homeowners give the children sweets and thus “pay off” trouble for the whole coming year. If someone doesn't give the children a treat, they can jokingly wish them the negative part of the phrase. It's important to understand that these are only formal rituals and no one should be offended by them. Decorating the house inside and out is an important Halloween tradition. Americans choose artificial spider webs, rubber rats, zombie and monster dummies, homemade bats and of course a pumpkin and garland. Various scarecrows, zombie figures and vampires can be placed in the courtyard of the house. It's a matter of letting the imagination run wild. Halloween food is also very special. On this day, pumpkin dishes, sweets and baked goods are prepared. Vegetables can be used to make dishes depicting human organs, worms, eye sockets, and more. In Ireland's homeland of Halloween, a special bread, barmbrack, is baked on the day. A piece of cloth, peas, a coin, a ring and a wooden splinter is added to the barmbrack dough. These unusual ingredients are used for fortune-telling. When a barmbrack is cut open, attention is paid to who gets what ingredient. A ring means marriage, peas mean you won't meet your soulmate soon, a coin means money, a piece of cloth means no money, and a sliver of wood promises trouble. --- *Originally published on [Joseph Ryan](https://paragraph.com/@joseph-ryan/halloween-customs)*