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

Posted on 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

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




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Comments

2 Responses to “Why Do We Carve Jack-O-Lanterns for Halloween?”
  1. Otto says:

    i have heard that its bad luck to burn candles on a jack o’ lanterns before the strike of midnight, it let unwelcome spirits into one’s home. this is something i’ve read in an old book and heard from some friends. please explain if this is true or not, i would really like to know.

    Thanks !!!!

  2. zoecat says:

    i also heard the same thing that jack made a deal with the devil.he told the devil to climb
    a tree and the devil couldnt get dow so jack won.oh and they put them out for halloween
    to keep away the vanpires.

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