The story behind Jack-o'-lanterns

A folklore tale of Halloween

The origins of the jack-o'-lantern

Jack-o'-lanterns are made by carving and giving shape to pumpkins. They are traditionally carried by guisers on All Hallows' Eve in order to frighten evil spirits. But where did they come from? How did they become associated with Halloween?

There is a popular Irish Christian folktale associated with the jack-o'-lantern, which in lore, is said to represent a "soul who has been denied entry into both heaven and hell":

On route home after a night's drinking, Jack encounters the Devil who tricks him into climbing a tree. A quick-thinking Jack etches the sign of the cross into the bark, thus trapping the Devil. Jack strikes a bargain that Satan can never claim his soul. After a life of sin, drink, and mendacity, Jack is refused entry to heaven when he dies. Keeping his promise, the Devil refuses to let Jack into hell and throws a live coal straight from the fires of hell at him. It was a cold night, so Jack places the coal in a hollowed out turnip to stop it from going out, since which time Jack and his lantern have been roaming looking for a place to rest.

Development of artifacts and symbols associated with Halloween formed over time. The carving of the pumpkin has not been a very old custom and did not associate with All Hallows' Eve until the 19th century. Since Halloween (originally, All Hallows' Eve) is a celebration dedicated to the memory of the dead, saints and believers, jack-o'-lanterns are also in memory of a lost soul and provide us with the haunting atmosphere as needed for that day.

Tale quoted from Wikipedia.

Information by Wikipedia.

Boo!

Lilian W.