Unveiling the Scary Colors of Halloween: A Spooky Exploration

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With Halloween right around the corner, it’s time to think about the scary colors associated with this very popular seasonal event. Being frightened a bit, but not too much, is part of the fun. However, certain colors have become the traditional spooky color favorites for this night-time celebration.

For example, especially in America, black is the winner as the scariest Halloween color, hands down. It is the color most associated with darkness, devilishness, and the unknown. In Ancient times, Halloween, or All Hallows’ Eve, was considered the night when the veil that separated the living from the dead was at its thinnest. Spirits could return to earth, and they were not always well-intentioned.

The fact that this celebration is celebrated at night further links black to the dark and forbidding danger lurking just outside the safety of the cabin’s or fire’s light. Vampires, creatures of the night, wear black clothing and capes; bats and spiders are black, as are black cats. Witches also dress in dark spooky colors, although more recently, purple has been added to their wardrobe. Purple represents mystery, the supernatural, and the third eye. If you are looking for costumes, except to find black and purple robes, wigs, eye shadow, and lipstick.

Red is also one of the scary Halloween colors. Associated with spilled blood and passion, it can be found dripping from vampire teeth, on a scary knife blade, dribbling down from the mouth of a crazed zombie or gushing from a wounded or slaughtered creature. So closely associated with violence and danger, red is a natural companion on scary Halloween nights.

With the exception of black, many otherwise harmless shades can become Halloween colors simply because of the traditions and circumstances associated with the holiday. This is true for red, orange, purple and even white. In contrast, at Valentine’s celebrations, red is the color of love; purple represents royalty, and white speaks of innocence and purity.

However, during Halloween events, we glimpse white on a vampire’s or werewolf’s tooth. Ghosts and spirits are eerily shrouded in pale white, as are bleached bones and lightening. Orange is probably the only holiday favorite that refuses to become one of the spooky colors of the evening. Cheerful carved pumpkins with candles glowing inside, the warmth of a friendly campfire and the softness of fallen leaves are all examples of the positive influence of orange, making it a nice balance for all the ghoulishness of the evening.

Using colors in unusual, non-traditional ways can also turn shades into the scary colors of Halloween. Costume stores will be stocked with creepy green teeth, shocking orange hair, and ugly black fingernails and toenails. In any case, for many folks, Halloween is a night to enjoy being properly scared, and a bit of color used here and there will heighten the suspense and the fun for all.