Associated Holidays

All Halloween-like and Halloween related Holidays

Key Points / Halloween Connection

- Messengers of the underworld

- Viewed as voices the murdered, and omens of misfortune

Brief Bio

Crows are associated with Halloween because of their traditional connections to death, the supernatural, and bad omens, partly due to their black plumage, scavenger habits, and role in folklore like the phrase "a murder of crows". These associations are reinforced by their appearance in horror media, such as Alfred Hitchcock's film The Birds. 

Reasons for the Halloween Association

Association with Death: Crows are scavengers that sometimes feed on carrion, which has linked them to death and battlefields in many cultures. The term "murder" for a group of crows adds to this ominous association.

Connection to the Supernatural: In some traditions, crows are seen as messengers between the living and the dead or as creatures associated with witches and the underworld.

Symbolism and Folklore: They are often depicted in folklore as omens of misfortune or disaster. For example, the ancient Greeks saw them as harbingers of death, while some German beliefs held that their harsh calls were the voices of the murdered.

Literary and Media Influence: The association of ravens (a close relative of crows) with darkness and demonic presence in Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven" has significantly influenced the perception of both birds. Their place in American popular culture was secured due to the popularity of Alfred Hitchcock's movie, "The Birds"

Appearance: Their jet-black coloring makes them an iconic symbol of Halloween, alongside other dark-themed Halloween icons like black cats and spiders.