The custom of the jack-o-lantern came from Ireland and was first made out of holloed out turnips and beets. It was the immigrants to eventually ventured to America that later used the pumpkin and squash. According to the legend, the Jack-O-Lantern derived its name from a man named Jack. He was a mischievous lad who escaped the devil’s attempts to steal his soul on many an occasion. When Jack died, it was said that he could not get into heaven because of his naughty ways. He then went to the gates of hell, and the devil also refused him entrance.
The devil then tossed a piece of coal out to Jack as a jokingly way of offering him a means to find his way in the dark. Yet Jack was not that dumb. He placed the piece of coal into a carved out turnip creating a makeshift lantern which provided him light enough as he wandered about purgatory.
The placing of a light in the hollowed out pumpkins and squash today is a means to ward off the dark or any unwanted spirits. The pumpkin is to be placed at the front door or in any passageway in need of protection or light.
If you would like an extra entry for my
Samhain giveaway. Go to the link and post a comment with the word Jack-o-lantern.
23 comments:
I love those tales - My pumpkin might as well be a turnip, really. I carved it, but you'd think a seven year old did it!!
Flew in from MrsB's :) Isn;t this a great legend? BB
One year I carried a hollowed out turnip holding a tea light while the girls trick-or-treated. It was great fun 'cept the tea light kept going out (it was breezy).
I am so glad you were a guest blog on Mrs. B's blog. I love your blog, I have put it on my google page to follow everyday! Keep up the awesome work!
I love this blog! Jack-o-lanterns RULE!
I never get tired of reading the folk lore associated with holiday traditions. The jack o lantern one is one of my favorites. :)
I'd love to try a beet, the red would be just amazing. Now to find a beet big enough...
Love this post....thanks!
I wasn't going to carve any pumpkins this year but after reading this now I can't wait to start carving pumpkins tonight. :)
I love the folklore! Especially when it comes to Samhain :)
I love this, learning a new thing is awesome and I love origination tales. Plus kids kids wait all year for pumpkins and Jack O Lanterns :)
Came from Mrs. B's blog -- great post. Getting ready to pick out the perfect Pumpkin with my daughter for jack-o-lantern goodness!
I am browsing around now and I am loving your Blog!
hopped over from mrs b's blog - I love your entry about the jack o lanterns - never knew the story behind them....thanks it was a great entry!!!
I am enjoying the halloween posts you have put together - such fun! Thank you
bleumoon
I love jack-o-lanterns and will have to remember to link to this post! Awesome!
This is one of my favorite Halloween's lagends! Thanks for the cool post, Janie.
Love from us!
This is so interesting! I'd read that turnips were used before the New World, but never knew how they came to be lit. Thanks! Dianne in UT
You always have the most interesting things to share, Janie -- thanks for all this great information! :)
Hugs,
Birgit
I love all the little bits of info you throw our way!
I don't think I'd ever heard this legend. It is very interesting!
I always hear that about the turnips, but I can't get my head around how you'd carve that. I might just have to try it one time. lol
Just had to come back today to say thanks for the runes you donated to the Mrs. B giveaway yesterday, which I just found out I won. Of all the prizes I've seen, that's the one I REALLY wanted, so I couldn't be more thrilled! Thanks!!
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