Here’s What All the Different Pumpkin Colors Represent
Updated: May 12, 2022
You'll see all kinds of pumpkin colors this Halloween. Each one represents a different issue!
As soon as fall rears its orange-colored head, I’m putting out pumpkins. Everywhere. Right now, I have three on my front porch, two on my back porch, two in my room and plenty more scattered throughout the house. Will there ever be enough to satisfy my love for the brightly-colored gourds? Probably not, but I can certainly dream.
And while I use them for Halloween decorations, many people use different colors to raise awareness about certain social issues. Here’s what all the pumpkin colors mean!
What Do Teal Pumpkins Mean?
You may have seen teal pumpkins while out trick-or-treating before. This pumpkin trend was started by the Food Allergy Research & Education organization (FARE) to help remind us that some kids have serious food allergies. With a holiday that centers heavily on candy, it’s important to remember keep in mind that not every kid can eat every treat.
Psst: Here’s the history of trick-or-treating.
What Do Purple Pumpkins Mean?
Purple pumpkins help raise awareness (and funds) for the Epilepsy Foundation. The Purple Pumpkin Project was established around 10 years ago and still works to spread awareness each year. If you know anyone who suffers from epilepsy and want to extend support, consider putting out a purple pumpkin.
What Do Pink Pumpkins Mean?
Like plenty of other items that go pink for a cure, pink pumpkins spread awareness of breast cancer. The practice was started by the Pink Pumpkin Project, a non-profit based in New York. 3.8 million women in the U.S. have a history of breast cancer, so spreading the word about organizations like the Breast Cancer Research Foundation is crucial.
What Do Blue Pumpkins Mean?
You may see blue more than any other pumpkin colors. The blue pumpkins encourage conversations about autism and how it affects both children and adults. Sometimes, kids with autism can’t communicate the way others can and may face problems we otherwise wouldn’t even think about. This is especially true on Halloween, when little ones on the autism spectrum may not be able to say “trick or treat.” Be on the lookout for kids with blue buckets!
What Do White Pumpkins Mean?
The white Halloween pumpkin was inspired by a Facebook post with a poem written by a mother in mourning. Jennifer Giles, a mother who lost her child Madelyn, wrote the poem in remembrance of her daughter. Now, white pumpkins are used to represent pregnancy and infant loss across the country.
What Do Red Pumpkins Mean?
The organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) began its campaign years ago. As you may have guessed, red pumpkins represent awareness for drunk driving and aim to promote healthy drinking practices. Halloween is a wonderful time for all, but that doesn’t mean everyone makes the best decisions. Remember: If you drive, don’t drink. If you drink, don’t drive.
What Do Yellow Pumpkins Mean?
Inspired by the success of the Teal Pumpkin Project, mother Laura Slatter decided to start her own in an attempt to bring awareness to her son’s disability. Levi had childhood apraxia of speech, a motor speech disorder that made it difficult for him to talk. He struggled as a child, and seeing this, Laura decided she wanted to help bring awareness to this issue as well as many others.
Originally Published: October 27, 2021
