These decorations are visual representations affixed to windows, typically during the Halloween season. These portrayals frequently depict eerie or frightening subjects such as ghosts, bats, skeletons, or haunted houses. Often constructed from black paper or vinyl, they are designed to be viewed from both inside and outside a dwelling, creating a spooky ambiance. An example includes a black cat figure placed in a window pane, illuminated from within to project its form outwards.
The significance of these decorations lies in their ability to transform the appearance of a home quickly and inexpensively for the Halloween holiday. Their benefit is that they allow individuals to participate in seasonal decorating without requiring extensive time, cost, or skill. Historically, the practice of decorating with silhouettes may be linked to earlier traditions of shadow play and storytelling, adapting to contemporary materials and themes.