Emporiblog - History of the Jack-o'-lantern
We're all familiar with the annual Halloween tradition of carving pumpkins but, do you know where Jack-o'-lanterns come from? Let's have a look.....
The Jack-o'-lantern as we know it today originated in Ireland and became a more widespread practice in the 1800s when Irish immigrants ventured to the US. Traditionally, large Turnips and Potatoes and other root vegetables where the ones being carved. The term Jack-o'-lantern actually comes from a story rooted in Irish history called The Tale of Stingy Jack. There are several variations but here's the gist of the story from what I've found.....
The Tale of Stingy Jack
Stingy Jack was the local drunk, a miserable old man who's only pleasure came from playing tricks on everyone, friends, family, even the Devil himself was not immune to old Jack's tricks. Jack just so happened to be in his favourite pub one day when the Devil decided to buy Jack a drink: in exchange for his soul of course. The Devil turned himself into a coin to pay for said drink however, Jack decided to pocket the coin and leave. Said pocket happened to contain a Cross which prevented the Devil from changing form. Jack only agreed to free the Devil if the Devil promised to wait before collecting his soul.
A few years later, Jack would run into the Devil again, this time, it was under an apple tree. Of course, the Devil was still angry at being tricked from before and wanted Jack's soul right then and there. Jack was only able to by some time by asking the Devil to get him an apple. The Devil obliged and climbed the tree. Whilst the Devil was in the tree, Jack placed a ring of Crosses around the base of the tree, once again preventing the Devil from escaping the situation. The Devil was only allowed to leave after jack made him promise not to take his soul apon his death.
This trick to delay the Devil may have saved Jack twice but it would not save him thrice.
More years passed and eventually so did Jack. He went to the Pearly Gates only to be turned away by St Peter for being crule, mean spirited and leading a miserable and mostly worthless life on Earth. With no other choice, Jack journeyed to hell to see the Devil once more. The Devil kept his promise to Jack and refused to let him and his soul into Hell.
What was Jack to do? Heaven and Hell had both refused him and now, his only choice was to wander forever in the darkness of the Netherworld between Heaven and Hell forever. Jack asked the Devil how it could be possible to leave as there was no light in the Netherworld and the Devil gave Jack an ember from Hell Fire to help him see. But the only thing Jack had to put the ember in was a large Turnip as Turnips where his favourite food and he always carried one about his person just in case. Jack hollowed out the Turnip so he could put the ember inside.
Now, Jack is doomed to roam the Earth forever, unable to rest with only his hollowed out Turnip to light his way.
The Irish referred to Jack's ghost as Jack of the Lantern which, over time became abbreviation we know today as Jack-o'-lantern.
On All Hallow's Eve, when the veil between worlds is at it's thinnest, the Irish would hollow out large root vegetables and gourds a place a light in them to drive away evil spirits and to keep the spirit of old Jack away. When Irish immigrants traveled to the US, they found that pumpkins where not only larger but easier to carve, thus becoming the Halloween symbol we know today!
Bonus Jack-o'-lantern trick
This year, instead of cutting a hole in the top of your Pumpkin, try cutting one in the bottom. Not only will this make it easier to light but your pumpkin will be less likely to cave in on itself and last longer.
You can also lightly sprinkle the insides with a pumpkin spice mix powder to change the smell of your pumpkin 😉
Please be careful when carving a pumpkin and using Candles!!
I hope you've enjoyed learning about the history of Jack-o'-lanterns with us!!
Keep an eye out for more Halloween themed posts throughout the month!!
Blessings,
C )0(
👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
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