Why Do We Carve Jack-O-Lanterns for Halloween?

September 1, 2007

Jack o lanternHave you ever wondered where we got the idea to carve Jack-O-Lanterns for Halloween? The tradition actually came to us from Irish/Celtic mythology. This particular legend had to do with a man known as Stingy Jack.

Stingy Jack made a deal with the Devil that left him in a bad situation upon his death. Stingy Jack was unable to enter either Heaven or Hell and so was doomed to spend eternity in between.

In the beginning  jack-o-lanterns were carved mainly from turnips, but the Irish also used gourds, potatoes, rutabagas and even beets.

Read more about Stingy Jack and how the legends developed into the Jack-O-Lantern along with lots of other fascinating information about the origins of Halloween:

The History and Origins of Halloween

http://www.trueghosttales.com/history-halloween.php

Filed Under Halloween 

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