The Origins of the 15 Spookiest Halloween Monsters

The perfect Halloween night should involve a full moon, a cloudy sky, a cool breeze and stories about creatures we hope we never have to encounter. But who came up with these Halloween monsters, ghouls and witches? Just as you might think you know the answer to "What is Halloween?" the real story behind this hair-raising holiday and its accompanying blood-curdling beasts isn't so simple.

Halloween monsters reflect human explanations for the unknown and provide an outlet for our deepest, most primal fears. There's a reason they're often the stars of the best Halloween movies (yes, even the Halloween movies for kids). If you love to hear ghost stories and scary Halloween stories, we dare you to learn the true-life tales that inspired these beasties. Read on to discover the hidden origins of Halloween monsters as we "dig up" the secrets of supernatural beings, from ancient myths to modern incarnations. Talk about cool Halloween trivia for the holiday!