Jack O’Lanterns! Every Halloween we rush out to supermarkets or far-flung farms all in search of that perfect pumpkin! It simply wouldn’t be Halloween if we didn’t carve up a few pumpkins, place glowing candles in them, and stick them on our front porch. But do you know why we do this?
Long ago, an old Irish legend goes, there was a man by the name of Jack who was not the sort of fellow you’d want to meet on a dark lane late at night. He was cruel and a drunk and an all around troublemaker. One night Jack had the poor misfortune of meeting the Devil but after some quick thinking, Jack tricked the Devil into promising never to come after his soul again.
After many years had passed and Jack finally died he was denied entrance into Heaven for his wicked ways in life. But Hell refused to take him as well leaving Jack doomed to wander the earth for all eternity. The Devil, mocking Jack’s sad situation, threw a burning coal from Hell itself at him; Jack caught the coal and put it in a hollowed out turnip. And from that night on Jack was known as Jack of the Lantern.
When immigrants from Ireland came to American many of their customs and traditions did as well. Through the years turnips faded into pumpkins and so became one of the most celebrated signs of the season.
Pumpkin Carving Tips
- You don’t have to have any special tools to carve a pumpkin; while they are helpful, a sharp kitchen knife will do the job.
- Be sure to clean out your pumpkin thoroughly. Loose seeds or strings could fall onto your candle and start a fire. And save the seeds! Click here for a yummy pumpkin seeds recipe.
- Tape your pattern to the pumpkin and using a nail, poke holes into the design.
- Carefully cut the pattern out with a knife.
- Don’t leave burning Jack O’Lanterns unattended and be especially carefully with them around pets.
Visit these links for patterns and other Jack O’Lantern related info:
Jack-O-Lantern.com
Patterns @ The Pumkpkin Lady
The Pumpkin Wizard
Pumpkin Patches And More