Symbols of Halloweenpage 2 / 2
Pumpkin : one key symbol, the pumpkin, was unknown to Europeans before Columbus. But it was part of the sacred trinity of native American foods: squash, beans and maize, which appears in the form of candy corn and the corn shocks that decorate front porches. The original European version of the jack o'lantern was a turnip.
Jack O'Lantern : traditionally on Halloween, jack-o-lanterns are placed on porches and in windows, in hopes that Jack, the nasty Irishman that the lantern is named for (click here to see Jack O'Lantern history), would take the light if needed instead of bothering anyone.
Scarecrows : the scarecrow is commonly used as a means of scaring unwanted flying visitors away. They are associated with Halloween and fall holidays in modern culture. Scarecrows have been rumored to be associated with the ancient ritual of human sacrifice for crop growth on Samhain, hence the crucifix style presentation.