Quick Question for Everyone

[Josi]

Jack-o'-lantern
costumes

 

[gurjf]

When you read the word (or hear it) "Halloween".... what is the first image that comes to your mind? Just one or two words is all I'm looking for.

The Hollywood Sign.

and people "gathering at night".

 

[John G]

angry pumpkins

 

[Alana]

Pumpkins, and also autumn (fall) landscapes.

Same for me.

 

[herondancer]

jack o' lanterns and witches (in a good way) ;D

 

[3DStudent]

I'd have to say a jack-o-lantern with the triangular teeth. Even the word Halloween "looks orange" to me. I think the word candy came pretty instantly too, along with costume.

 

[jordifs]

1) Pumpkin.
2) U.S.A.

 

[stellar]

Empty pumpkins and lies.

 

[shadowsaround]

Day of the Dead.

 

[Richs]

When you read the word (or hear it) "Halloween".... what is the first image that comes to your mind? Just one or two words is all I'm looking for.

Witches and hobgoblins.

 

[mada85]

Skeleton.
Skull.
Black.
Bones.
Death.
Ghost.

 

[Ca.]

Lite-up, jack-o-lanterns and witches on brooms, with pointy black hats

 

[shijing]

bats, black cats, and a haunted castle

 

[Mrs.Tigersoap]

Pumpkin
Spiderwebs
Nightmare before Christmas (but that's probably because I just had a look at the book accompanying the movie today)

Before coming to Belgium, I would've thought candy and costumes (witches). Now seeing how they're pushing it out here, I mostly think American capitalism.

I understand what you mean. I thought that Halloween was originally 'European' (well, Celtic) and then went to America and was forgotten about here. Because we actually used to have a tradition which is a bit similar in Wallonia: it was called La Saint-Grégoire ou Quête de la Saint-Grégoire (Begging at the Saint-Grégoire). It was celebrated on March 12 and children would dress with a special hat (supposed to look like a priest's mitre, to look like Saint Grégoire I guess) and go from house to house collecting ingredients (eggs, flour, bacon) or money. With the ingredients, they would come home and bake pancakes or pastries. The children sang songs to thank those who gave and had special songs for those who did not (calling them rotten, etc.).
In this link ( _http://www.chansonsdewallonie.be/Bloc/archives/86) they say it was over by 1975 but at some point my father lived in a village near Charleroi where they were still organising that in the 80's. My stepsister participated.

It's not exactly Halloween, but it shares some characterics, osit.

 

[Angchop]

A witch flying on a broomstiock with a black pointy hat, a pumpkin and a black cat with yellow eyes.