What is the origin of the jack o lantern?
The practice of decorating jack-o'-lanterns originated in Ireland, where large turnips and potatoes served as early canvasses. In fact, the name, jack-o'-lantern, comes from an Irish folktale about a man named Stingy Jack.
Where did the term 'jack-o-lantern' originate?
At that time, the British often called men whose names they didn't know by a common name like Jack. Thus, an unknown man carrying a lantern was sometimes called "Jack with the lantern" or "Jack of the lantern.". We know where 'jack-o'-lantern' comes from.
Who wrote the Jack O'Lantern?
James Fenimore Cooper wrote a nautical novel titled The Jack O'lantern (le Feu-Follet), Or the Privateer (1842). The Jack O'lantern was the name of the ship. The poet John Greenleaf Whittier, who was born in Massachusetts in 1807, wrote the poem "The Pumpkin" (1850): When wood-grapes were purpling and brown nuts were falling!
How many jack o'lanterns are there?
This renowned Halloween experience features over 7,000 hand carved jack o'lanterns. These illuminated jack o'lanterns are placed to form impressive displays from the Statue of Liberty to the infamous legend of Sleepy Hollow bridge. Why Carved Pumpkins?
How did Jack O'lantern get his name?
Its name comes from the reported phenomenon of strange lights flickering over peat bogs, called will-o'-the-wisps or jack-o'-lanterns. The name is also tied to the Irish legend of Stingy Jack, a drunkard who bargains with Satan and is doomed to roam the Earth with only a hollowed turnip to light his way.
What is the true meaning of the jack o lantern?
The origins of jack-o'-lanterns aren't limited to produce; the term also referred to people. According to Merriam-Webster, in 17th-century Britain it was common to call a man whose name you didn't know “Jack.” A night watchman, for example, became known as “Jack-of-the-Lantern,” or jack-o'-lantern.
What does the pumpkin mean in slavery?
The Thanksgiving pumpkin pie is now a symbol for sweet, sweet national unity. But it was once a hotly contested battleground in America's original culture war. In the 1800s, the humble pumpkin became a totem of the fight to abolish slavery in America.
What were jack o lanterns originally from?
The legend of Stingy Jack is just the start of Halloween's fascinating history. In Ireland, where the tradition began, pumpkins don't grow. Before immigrants began traveling to America, jack-o-lanterns were actually made from turnips and potatoes. People used them to scare away Jack and other malicious spirits.
Why is pumpkin symbol of Halloween?
In the 19th century, when a lot of Irish immigrated to the United States, they brought the Halloween tradition of using vegetables to scare the spirits away. In America, the Irish discovered a new vegetable, the pumpkin, which is harvested in the fall, and began using it to scare the evil spirits.
What does lantern symbolize?
The lantern is a symbol in many cultures through the world and may refer to spiritual illumination, enlightenment, future success, and an attraction for the souls of the dead. In China, the Lantern festival is on the last day of the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations.
Why did slaves put seeds in their hair?
As Dutch slave owners forcibly transported people from West Africa to colonies in modern-day Brazil and throughout the Americas, some African women, namely rice farmers, braided rice seeds into their hair as a means for survival of themselves and the culture of their homeland.
Why did slaves carry okra?
Because of its slimy nature, okra was first used by white slave owners in the South to thicken soups. Thus, Créole gumbo, which itself is another name for okra, developed in Louisiana.
What does a black pumpkin mean?
The most popular pumpkin remains the orange and black pumpkin pails from your childhood, but even those carry meaning. Black represents darkness and death. Throughout history darkness is also believed to be a time when the spirit world crosses the living.
Is Stingy Jack Real?
Stingy Jack O'Lantern, also known as Jack the Smith, Drunk Jack, Flaky Jack or Jack-o'-lantern, is a mythical character sometimes associated with All Hallows Eve while also acting as the mascot of the holiday.
Can you eat jack o lantern pumpkins?
Sure — as long as it is in good condition and hasn't' yet been carved. Pumpkins typically used for jack-o'-lanterns usually are larger, with stringier pulp and more watery flesh. However, you can still eat the jack-o-lantern variety with fairly good results.
What vegetable was the original jack o lantern?
Turnips might not seem that exciting to you, but they've actually had an interesting part in history. Turnips were the first Jack-o-Lanterns in Ireland and Scotland. They were carved to ward off evil spirits and other unwanted travelers and eventually became a Halloween tradition.
What does the pumpkin represent in the story the custody of the pumpkin?
To Emsworth, the pumpkin represents the continuation of his noble lineage. In ensuring the vegetable's success, he feels that he is making an important addition to his family's legacy, thus justifying his own place in the social hierarchy.
What is a pumpkin patch meaning?
A garden where pumpkins are planted, commonly available for sale.
What do painted pumpkins mean?
The use of purple has actually been used for years by The Epilepsy Foundation. The organization started The Purple Pumpkin Project as a way to encourage people to paint their fall pumpkins purple at Halloween to raise epilepsy awareness. The project has been running since 2012.
What is Jack of the Lantern?
The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as “Jack of the Lantern,” and then, simply “Jack O’Lantern.”. In Ireland and Scotland, people began to make their own versions of Jack’s lanterns by carving scary faces into turnips or potatoes and placing them into windows or near doors to frighten away Stingy Jack and other wandering evil spirits.
Why do people make Jack-o-lanterns?
The practice originated from an Irish myth about a man nicknamed “Stingy Jack.” According to the story, Stingy Jack invited the Devil to have a drink with him. True to his name, Stingy Jack didn’t want to pay for his drink, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack could use to buy their drinks. Once the Devil did so, Jack decided to keep the money and put it into his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form.
Why did Jack carved a cross in the tree?
While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree’s bark so that the Devil could not come down until the Devil promised Jack not to bother him for ten more years. Soon after, Jack died. As the legend goes, God would not allow such an unsavory figure into heaven.
Where did the Halloween pumpkin come from?
Pumpkins with ghoulish faces and illuminated by candles are a sure sign of the Halloween season. The practice of decorating jack-o'-lanterns originated in Ireland, where large turnips and potatoes served as early canvasses. In fact, the name, jack-o'-lantern, comes ...
Did God allow Jack into hell?
As the legend goes, God would not allow such an unsavory figure into heaven. The Devil, upset by the trick Jack had played on him and keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not allow Jack into hell. He sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way.
Did Jack free the Devil?
Jack eventually freed the Devil , under the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year and that, should Jack die, he would not claim his soul. The next year, Jack again tricked the Devil into climbing into a tree to pick a piece of fruit.
Where did Jack-o-lanterns come from?
Jack-o'-lanterns are a yearly Halloween tradition that came to the United States from Irish immigrants. In a jack-o'-lantern, the top of the pumpkin or turnip is cut off to form a lid, the inside flesh is scooped out, and an image—usually a scary or funny face —is carved out of the rind to expose the hollow interior.
When was the Jack O' Lantern invented?
Used especially in East England, its earliest known use dates to the 1660s. The term "will-o'-the-wisp" uses "wisp" (a bundle of sticks or paper sometimes used as a torch) and the proper name " Will ": thus, "Will-of-the-torch.". The term jack o'lantern is of the same construction: " Jack of [the] lantern.".
What do the Jack-o lanterns represent?
By those who made them, the lanterns were said to represent either spirits or supernatural beings, or were used to ward off evil spirits. For example, sometimes they were used by Halloween participants to frighten people, and sometimes they were set on windowsills to keep harmful spirits out of one's home. It has also been suggested that the jack-o'-lanterns originally represented Christian souls in purgatory, as Halloween is the eve of All Saints' Day (1 November)/ All Souls' Day (2 November).
What is a Jack-o lantern?
A jack-o'-lantern in the shape of the Wikipedia logo. A jack-o'-lantern (or jack o'lantern) is a carved pumpkin, turnip, or other root vegetable lantern associated with Halloween.
Why do people use Jack-o lanterns?
Jack-o-lanterns were also a way of protecting one's home against the undead. Superstitious people used them specifically to ward off vampires. They thought this because it was said that the jack-o-lantern's light was a way of identifying vampires who, once their identity was known, would give up their hunt for you.
Where did the name Hobany come from?
The folklorist Jabez Allies outlines other derivations of the name, "Hobany's", which is most likely derived from "Hob and his", with other variations including "Hob-o'-Lantern", "Hobbedy's Lantern" and "Hobbady-lantern".
Who holds the record for most jack-o lanterns?
On October 19, 2013, Keene, New Hampshire, broke the Boston record and reclaimed the world record for most lit jack-o'-lanterns on display (30,581). Keene has now broken the record eight times since the original attempt.
What is the symbolism of Jack-o-lanterns?
Though jack-o’-lanterns are now an American cultural icon of Halloween, their symbolism is quite recent — and the story of how they came to be is a complicated one. The custom of carving a face into a pumpkin for Halloween is an American amalgamation of different European autumnal customs and an old piece of spooky folklore, ...
Why is Stingy Jack called Stingy Jack?
Like all good legends, the tale of Stingy Jack was born from some truth, as a medieval explanation for the “flame-like phosphorescence caused by gases from decaying plants in marshy areas ,” as Merriam-Webster’s dictionary puts it.
When was the Jack in question?
According to one prominent theory, the “Jack” in question is the subject of an old folktale. The story, which has several different iterations, can be traced back to as long ago as 1551, Bannatyne says, and is quite sinister indeed. Often called “Stingy” Jack, he spends much of his life tricking the devil.
Where did jack-o'-lanterns come from?
According to National Geographic , carving produce to resemble a human face is a DIY project that's thousands of years old. In northern European Celtic cultures, such a craft could have been used as a form of worship for a certain figure or even as a war trophy, with the face representing the severed head of your enemy.
What were the first jack-o'-lanterns made out of?
As a result, in Europe , root vegetables like turnips, beets, and potatoes were typically used (and are decidedly more frightening).
Is Jack O lantern a vegetable?
Since the introduction of the jack-o'-lantern to America, we've seen the vegetable become synonymous with Halloween. Nowadays, there are even festivals and TV competition shows dedicated to the art of pumpkin carving.
Where was the first Jack O Lantern Carved – History of the Jack O Lantern
Rumour has it the first Jack O Lantern was actually carved in my homeland, Ireland a long time ago during the 19th century! During the potato famines lots of Irish immigrated to America, and took with them the story and idea of Jack O Lanterns!
The first jack-o-lantern was actually created from a vegetable that was not a pumpkin. What vegetable was it?
The big news is that pumpkins were not common in Ireland or the UK in general during the 19th century so we carved something else! Yep we used turnips and sometimes potatoes! I can also confirm that these were still used for carving in the 1980s in Ireland as opposed to pumpkins!
Why did people carve turnips and call them Jack O Lanterns – Jack O Lantern Story
You may wonder why people ever bothered carving turnips, and eventually pumpkins, and why is it called a Jack O Lantern.
What is the origin of the Jack-o-Lantern?
The Gaelic Origin of the Jack-o’-Lantern. With evil Jack damned to wander the world until Judgment Day, the Gaelic Irish community did not want his spirit visiting their homes. So they took precautions on October 31, the day of the Celtic festival of Samhain. On this day, the spirits of the netherworld could pass through to the world of the living.
What is the origin of the Stingy Jack tradition?
Stingy Jack and the History of the Jack-o’-Lantern. The traditions of Halloween originate from a blend of Samhain, the Celtic celebration marking the end of the summer harvest, and Christian traditions honoring saints and martyrs. Trick-or-Treating and scary costumes are just two ancient traditions that have survived.
What is Stingy Jack?
This is just one version of an old tale about a foul drunkard of a blacksmith known as Stingy Jack. Jack was a two-faced, deceitful schemer who thrived on manipulating people. His selfish spirit possessed not a shred of humanity or kindness for anyone, and the homeless beggars only repulsed him. Word of his vile reputation reached Satan who took ...
What happened to Stingy Jack?
The devil obliged. But instead of paying, Jack rammed the coin into his pocket. Aware that Stingy Jack had double-crossed him, the devil fought to get out. However, a crucifix in the pocket trapped him in. Jack made a deal with the devil. If he would leave Jack alone for a decade, he would release him from the coin – and the deal was made.
Why did Jack ask for an apple from the tree?
This time, however, Jack asked for an apple from a nearby tree to quell his hunger on the long journey .
Did Stingy Jack outsmart the Devil?
Many years of alcoholism finally took their toll. It seemed that Stingy Jack could outsmart the devil, but he could not outsmart death when he found himself standing in front of the Pearly Gates. St. Peter turned him away. Heaven, as many people know, would not welcome a lying, deceitful drunk.
Where is Stingy Jack's ghost?
Ever since then, Jack’s ghost could be seen wandering aimlessly around the Irish countryside. Whenever locals saw mysterious lights, they would say, “That’s just Jack o’ the lantern.”. Later, the term became synonymous with the name for Stingy Jack’s wandering spirit – jack-o’-lantern.
Overview
External links
• https://www.history.com/topics/halloween/jack-olantern-history
• https://www.boston.com/news/history/2014/10/29/the-history-of-the-jack-o-lantern-how-it-all-began-with-a-turnip
• http://mentalfloss.com/article/12865/whats-origin-jack-o-lanterns
Etymology
The term jack-o'-lantern was originally used to describe the visual phenomenon ignis fatuus (lit., "foolish fire") known as a will-o'-the-wisp in English folklore. Used especially in East England, its earliest known use dates to the 1660s. The term "will-o'-the-wisp" uses "wisp" (a bundle of sticks or paper sometimes used as a torch) and the proper name "Will": thus, "Will-of-the-torch." The term jack o'lan…
History
The carving of vegetables has been a common practice in many parts of the world. It is believed that the custom of making jack-o'-lanterns at Halloween time began in Ireland. In the 19th century, "turnips or mangel wurzels, hollowed out to act as lanterns and often carved with grotesque faces," were used on Halloween in parts of Ireland and the Scottish Highlands. In these Gaelic-speaki…
Pumpkin craft
Sections of the pumpkin or turnip are cut out to make holes, often depicting a face, which may be either cheerful, scary, or comical.
World records
For a long time, Keene, New Hampshire, held the world record for most jack-o'-lanterns carved and lit in one place. The Life is Good Company teamed up with Camp Sunshine, a camp for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families, to break the record. A record was set on October 21, 2006, when 30,128 jack-o'-lanterns were simultaneously lit on Boston Common in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. Highwood, Illinois, tried to set the record on October 31, 2011, with an u…
See also
• Apotropaic magic
• Cuco
• The Great Pumpkin