Penn State University, located in Pennsylvania, is known for its iconic blue and white colors and its beloved mascot, the Nittany Lion. The combination of blue and white represents tradition, unity, and pride for the Penn State community. Blue is a symbol of loyalty, trust, and integrity. It represents the strong bond that students, alumni, faculty, and fans have with the university. Blue is also reflective of the school's dedication to academic excellence and its commitment to producing well-rounded individuals. White, on the other hand, signifies purity, clarity, and goodness.
White, on the other hand, signifies purity, clarity, and goodness. It represents the pursuit of truth and knowledge that is at the core of the Penn State experience. White symbolizes the university's commitment to research, innovation, and the discovery of new ideas.
The Witches of Halloween Past
If recent memes are any indication, it’s likely you’ll wind up as Big Bird, a face-eating zombie, Psy or the Ecco Homo fresco for Halloween. Or, there are the classics. You know, the default ghosts, scarecrows, clowns and witches our parents’ and even our grandparents’ generations wore for Halloween. (Turns out that my grandmother, my mother and I all had our turns as teenage witches, going door-to-door clad in black pointy hats collecting our bounty.)
Contestants in the Halloween Slick Chick beauty contest in Anaheim, California, 1947.
Silk stockings ad from Ipswich Hosiery, 1927.
Halloween is thought to date back more than 2,000 years to a time when Celtic people celebrated New Year’s Day, or Samhain, on the equivalent of November 1. Legend has it that the day before, or Samhain eve (now known as Halloween), fairy and demon spirits would appear in the ether as they traveled to the afterlife. Celts dressed in costumes to stave off the evil spirits and tap into the souls of their ancestry.
Witch fashion, 1938.
All Hallows’ Eve, as it’s also known, was brought to the United States by European immigrants in the 1800s and with it, the witch costume. With absolutely no scientific evidence, one could conjecture that at least one in four people has dressed up as the hooked-nose, broom-laden, cauldron-stirring, wart-faced caricature at least one time in his or her Halloween career. As proof of this hypothesis, images of Halloween witches throughout the decades aren’t difficult to come by.
Nancy Carroll, date unknown.
Joyce Holden, 1950.
Sexy witches, pin-up witches, cutesy witches. I’d assumed that the proliferation of racy costumes (bananas and bubble gum costumes included) was a more recent occurrence. Slate suggests that the tawdriness actually began in the 1970s for a few reasons: Drag queens began dressing up for Halloween in skimpy outfits; the Halloween parade kicked off in Greenwich Village in 1973 and was quickly mimicked in the Castro and West Hollywood; and retailers began selling suggestive pre-fab costumes. But from digging around for old photos and coming upon images of scantily clad enchantresses riding those broomsticks beginning in the 1910s, it looks like witches were less Salem and more sassy much earlier than the disco decade.
Barbara Britton, Katharine Booth, Ella Neal and Eva Gabor c. 1941.
P.S. Ever wonder why broomsticks were a witch’s accessory of choice? Brooms weren’t initially meant for flying. In Celtic times, they had a much more mundane purpose; they were used to clean an area before a healing ritual could be performed. But if you ask me, the broomstick’s primary function was likely to shoo away black cats from crossing your path.
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Emily Spivack creates and edits the sites Worn Stories and Sentimental Value. She lives in Brooklyn, NY.
Joyce Holden, 1950.
The Nittany Lion is the official mascot of Penn State. This iconic figure embodies the spirit and pride of the Penn State community. The Nittany Lion is fierce, strong, and fearless – characteristics that reflect the determination and resilience of Penn State students and alumni. The origins of the Nittany Lion can be traced back to a mountain lion that was once native to the region surrounding Penn State. The name "Nittany" itself comes from Mount Nittany, a prominent landmark near the university. The Nittany Lion mascot serves as a symbol of strength, courage, and unity – qualities that are instilled in every member of the Penn State community. Overall, the blue and white colors and the Nittany Lion mascot are key symbols of Penn State University. They represent the values, traditions, and pride that define the Penn State experience. These symbols evoke a sense of unity and belonging among students, alumni, faculty, and fans, creating a strong and enduring identity for the Penn State community..
Reviews for "The Role of Penn State's Blue and White Colors in Celebrating Home Football Games"
1. John - 1/5 stars - I absolutely despise Penn State's blue and white colors and their mascot! The blue is so boring and dull, it does nothing to grab attention or inspire excitement. And the white just feels so plain and unimaginative. As for their mascot, it's just a plain Nittany Lion - nothing special or unique about it. I feel like they could have done so much better with their colors and mascot to create a more memorable and powerful image for their university.
2. Emily - 2/5 stars - I'm not a fan of Penn State's blue and white colors and mascot. The blue feels very outdated and not very appealing. It lacks vibrancy and doesn't stand out in any way. The white, on the other hand, is just too plain and doesn't offer any contrast. It's just a bland combination overall. The mascot, while it may have some historical significance, is not very exciting or creative. I think Penn State could benefit from reevaluating their colors and mascot to something more modern and eye-catching.
3. Liam - 1/5 stars - Penn State's blue and white colors and mascot are just so boring and unoriginal. The blue is a dull shade that doesn't inspire any sense of pride or enthusiasm. And the white is just plain and lacks any character. As for their mascot, a Nittany Lion, it's just generic and uninspiring. It's a missed opportunity to create a mascot that truly represents the spirit and identity of the university. Overall, I think Penn State should consider revamping their colors and mascot to something more exciting and unique.
4. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I find Penn State's blue and white colors and mascot to be quite underwhelming. The blue is too muted and doesn't catch the eye. It lacks energy and intensity that are often associated with school colors. The white feels too plain and doesn't offer enough contrast. As for their mascot, a Nittany Lion, it's just not very captivating. It doesn't have a strong presence or a significant impact. I believe Penn State could benefit from a more vibrant color scheme and a mascot that truly stands out.