Where Did Jack-o’-Lanterns For Halloween Come From and How Did the Tradition of Carving Pumpkins Originate?

Photo of author

Karen Hill

In Irish folklore, a supreme con man named Jack, or “Jack-o,” once tricked the Devil himself.

Upon his death, his sins barred him from heaven, and because he had once fooled the Devil he couldn’t enter hell.

After a lot of begging he finally persuaded Satan to give him one burning ember.

Placed in a hollowed-out turnip it served as a lantern to light his way through the afterlife.

Later in North America, the plentiful pumpkin replaced turnips for use as “Jack-o’s lanterns.”

Related Posts

  1. Where did Halloween come from and What does the word Halloween mean?
  2. How did the Jack-in-the-box get its name and Where does the term Jack in the box come from?
  3. How did the “Jack-in-the-Pulpit” get its name and Where does the term Jack-in-the-Pulpit come from?
  4. Who Invented Cracker Jack and How Did Cracker Jack Get Its Name?
  5. Where Did the Halloween Tradition of Bobbing For Apples Come From and What Does it Symbolize?
  6. Where Did the Tradition of Giving Out Treats On Halloween Come From and What Does it Symbolize?