You've probably come to accept that orange and black (and sometimes purple and green) are the official colors of Halloween. We see these colors used in Halloween decorations and incorporated into costumes. But how did orange and black become the colors we now associate with our favorite spooky holiday?
Let's take a step back into history: the Celts were the first people to celebrate a holiday most closely resembling what we call "Halloween", and the purpose of the holiday was to mark a new calendar year on November 1st (source).
Naturally, the Celts associated this transitional time - between the end of their harvest and the beginning of winter - with death. And no better color represents death and mourning than black.
Did you know that pumpkins are native to North America? Therefore, it's no surprise that they were never included in these early celebrations in other parts of the world. But legend has it that when Irish immigrants came to America in 1846, they started using pumpkins instead of potatoes for their carved lanterns, the earliest version of what we now call the Jack O'Lantern.
Furthermore, the colors orange and black - when used together - are also thought to symbolize the transition between fall and winter, with orange representing the rich colors of autumn, and black representing the bleakness of winter.
So why is purple sometimes also related to Halloween? According to this article, “Purple draws in a bit of the supernatural and mysticism.” In addition, purple and orange are both secondary colors (they result from the mixture of primary colors) that look great together (the Phoenix Suns know it), and the combination is one of Susan’s favorites.
Now that you know a little more about the history of Halloween colors, check out these SUMARIS pieces, which celebrate the spirt of the holiday and will put you in a festive mood:
Orange
Ready to step into the color orange? You need to check out HOT DOG, ORANGEADE, or PINK GRAPEFRUIT.
A Halloween accessory simply can’t get any more playful than HOT DOG, which features a vintage Romi brooch shaped like a dachshund dog. The orange glass beads look like perfectly formed pumpkins, and Swarovski crystal beads infuse just the right amount of purple.
ORANGEADE is ideal for anyone who wants something a little more polished and less whimsical than HOT DOG. Capture the rich tones of autumn with a necklace that features a vintage brooch, vintage glass beads, Swarovski crystal, and “maple” turquoise.
Finally, PINK GRAPEFRUIT is more feminine and youthful than the other two options, thanks to a pop of pink. However, it’s still just as Halloween-ey, with its gorgeous orange globes reminiscent of pumpkins. PINK GRAPEFRUIT features vintage Lucite, agate, dyed turquoise, and Czech crystal.
Purple
Check out the way purple and orange mingle in our PLUMERIA necklace, which features a vintage West German rhinestone brooch, amethyst, vintage lucite, and Czech crystal. Just imagine wearing this with a simple black blouse while answering the door for trick-or-treaters.
Black
And if you just feel like getting back to black, try NIGHT BOUQUET, which celebrates darkness and the wonder of what lurks in the night. It’s made of a vintage brooch, vintage lucite, and Czech glass.
Want to look like you’re wearing amazing arachnids on your neck? Try BLOODLINE, which features a vintage Corocraft brooch, vintage and contemporary acrylic, metal, and glass.
Are you ready for Halloween? Do you like to dress up? We're curious to know your plans.
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