Saturday, December 8, 2012

The science of Halloween's scariest creatures | Essentials

The science of Halloween's scariest creatures

Hanny jamming IV_MMVIII
Hanny jamming IV_MMVIII by andronicusmax
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Excerpt:

Ooooowwwoooo! Werewolves, zombies and good old-fashioned ghosts may pop out of the crypt tonight, but Halloween's creepiest staples didn't just appear out of thin air. Many of them once instilled real fear in medieval towns, when folklore reigned supreme and getting freaked out came easy. Here are some real science and history tales of the scary stars of Oct. 31. 1. Jack-o'-lanterns A standout among freaks and monsters, the nutritious pumpkin may be Halloween's most famous symbol. The practice of carving and lighting the gourd is a Celtic custom brought to America by Irish immigrants, who used the more-plentiful turnip back home. Glowing, frightening faces emanating from the pumpkins were meant to frighten off the evil spirits thought to roam the streets on Oct. 31, the Celtic New Year's Eve.

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Alan Boyle

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Legend

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Organization: Christian church

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Holiday: Halloween

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Holiday: New Year's Eve.

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Continent: America

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