7 Animals That Have Connections To Halloween, Adding More Fright And Mystery To The Spooky Holiday
Halloween is a time of spooky decorations and spine-chilling tales. It is also very much centered around animals that contribute to the holiday’s mysterious essence. Certain creatures from myth and folklore add an extra layer of excitement and fright to the celebration.
From black cats to toads, each animal has its own history that explains their relation to Halloween. Here are seven animals that are connected to this dark and spooky season. Which one is your favorite?
Black Cats
The first animal you think of when it comes to Halloween is probably the black cat. They are iconic symbols of the holiday. The superstition that they bring bad luck goes all the way back to Greek mythology. The felines were associated with Hecate, the goddess of sorcery, magic, and witchcraft.
By the Middle Ages, black cats were linked to witches and Satan. A 13th-century church decree labeled them as incarnations of the devil. The superstition made its way to the New World.
There, the Puritan colonists believed that killing the cats would keep the Bubonic plague under control. Nowadays, black cats are just classic Halloween mascots.
Bats
Bats have deep connections to Halloween due to their spooky appearance and nocturnal behavior. The origin of their association with the holiday may come from the Celtic festival Samhain.
During these festivals, there were large bonfires, which attracted insects. Of course, the bats were drawn by the prospect of food. But back then, they were thought to be spirits disturbed by the fires.
Maya Kruchancova – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual cat
The winged creatures were further cemented as Halloween icons after Bram Stoker portrayed them as vampires in his 1897 novel Dracula.
Real vampire bats feed on the blood of animals, and human bites are rare. They also don’t turn into vampires if they get bitten, but that doesn’t stop the scary stories from emerging.
Toads
In various cultures, toads have long been tied to witches. They are often portrayed as companions of witches who assist with their magical spells. Shakespeare’s Macbeth popularized the idea, as a toad is mentioned in the context of a witch’s brew.
This reinforced the notion that amphibians are ingredients in magic potions. Furthermore, many toads have substances in their skin that are toxic to humans if ingested.
Spiders
The creepiness of spiders certainly helps cement their reputation as a symbol of Halloween. Spiders and their webs are often associated with old, decrepit buildings and dark places.
Many spiders also start mating during the fall months, so you probably see more spiderwebs around, especially in September and October. Their silky creations make the perfect Halloween decor!
Crows
A group of crows is called a murder, and they’ve been known to hover over dead animal carcasses, so you can see why they’re related to Halloween. Their black feathers make them look like they’re dressed for the occasion.
Crows have an eerie presence; their caws cut through the air as if giving a warning of some sort. Seeing one is often thought to be a bad omen.
Owls
Throughout history, owls have been linked to witchcraft and the supernatural.
For instance, ancient Romans believed the birds could predict someone’s death, while many Native American cultures also affiliate owls with death and the afterlife.
Their big, round eyes, haunting hoots, and nocturnal activity just scream Halloween.
Rats
These furry little creatures are constantly depicted in the context of death, decay, and disease. This is likely due to their role in spreading the Black Death in the 14th century.
To this day, the rodents still give people the creepy-crawlies even though they can make great pets.
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