Halloween Animals: Why These Creatures Are Connected To The Holiday

Here are the reasons why these creatures became Halloween Animals

Halloween Animals – During this holiday, certain creatures are becoming more prominent compared to other animals.

Halloween is known as the time of the year when spookiness is celebrated. Creepy decor, costumes, and places are popular. During this time, there are also animals that are getting more attention from the people like the black cats.

Here are the reasons why these animals are being associated with Halloween, based on the article in Mental Floss.

halloween animals black cat
Time of the Year

Black cats

The perception that black cats carry bad luck dates back to Greek mythology, where they were associated with Hecate, the goddess of magic, witchcraft, and sorcery. They were commonly linked to Satan, and witches, and labeled demonic incarnations of the devil.

Bats

Bats’ connection to Halloween simply has to do with how bats look and behave. This may have started with the Celtic festival Samhain. Large bonfires attracted insects and bats as well. People thought these were spirits disturbed by the fires. 

The 1897 novel Dracula strengthened this reputation of bats by portraying them as vampires. However, vampire bats feed on the blood of other animals.

Spiders

Aside from their appearance, the spookiness in them came also from being associated with dark places, old buildings, and other spooky locations. Spiders are more visible during autumn and somehow this added to the perception.

Mental Floss

Owls

Their large eyes, haunting hoos, and nocturnal behavior are the most common factors why they are associated with Halloween. However, birds in general, have been linked to witchcraft and the supernatural throughout history.

Toads

They have long been linked to witches in various cultures. Toads are often depicted as companions believed to assist in their magical practices.

halloween animals
Mental Floss

Crows

Their connection to Halloween was probably because of the scenario – they were circling around the carcass of a dead animal. They have a foreboding presence but they are considered one of the most intelligent animals on the planet.

Rats

They are basically associated with disease and decay but they are also intelligent animals.

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