In fact, pumpkins are believed to be as new as 1866, while turnip lanterns can be traced back to the 17th century in Ireland. The candle inside the carved turnip lantern signified a wandering soul held in purgatory, according to Nick Rogers–author of the book Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night.
When did we start carving pumpkins instead of turnips?
During the 19th century, however, immigrants to America who took the Halloween tradition with them discovered that pumpkins, which grew there, were easier to carve. As a result pumpkins became the established tradition, while using a turnip to depict the original jack-o’-lantern was forgotten.
Why did people carve turnips instead of pumpkins?
In Ireland, people started to carve demonic faces out of turnips to frighten away Jack’s wandering soul. When Irish immigrants moved to the U.S., they began carving jack-o’-lanterns from pumpkins, as these were native to the region.
Did people carve turnips before pumpkins?
Long before pumpkins and gourds ruled over late October, root vegetables reigned supreme.
What does the O in jack-o-lantern mean?
The o’ in jack-o’-lantern is short for the word of. So the whole term is “Jack (of or with) the lantern.” The o’ is also used in the term o’clock.
Why do we carve pumpkins during Halloween?
History of Pumpkin Carving
The original idea of the jack-o’-lantern was to scare away evil spirits. The Irish would set the carved pumpkins or turnips by their doors and windows in hopes that they would protect them. Modern pumpkin-carving, though, is often done for entertainment.
Why did we stop carving turnips?
The children’s book The Story of Halloween by Carol Greene tells the story of Jack-o-the-lantern as well and explains how colonial Americans used pumpkins to carve instead of turnips, because they were more plentiful and easier to carve. Halloween began as Samhain which means ‘summer’s end.
What was original jack-o-lantern?
It is believed that the custom of making jack-o’-lanterns at Halloween time began in Ireland. In the 19th century, “turnips or mangel wurzels, hollowed out to act as lanterns and often carved with grotesque faces,” were used on Halloween in parts of Ireland and the Scottish Highlands.
Who started carving turnips?
Maoris began carving them for lanterns 700 years ago – the Maori word for “gourd” and “lampshade” are actually the same. According to Irish folklore, a man called Jack O’Lantern was sentenced to roam the earth for eternity.
Why are turnips used for Halloween?
Carving scary faces on to autumnal vegetables is an old Irish tradition but, instead of pumpkins, our ancestors used turnips to scare their neighbours. It’s believed that when Irish immigrants moved to the US, the native pumpkin was adopted for Halloween purposes.
Which vegetables were jack o lanterns originally made from?
Before we carved pumpkins, the Irish chiseled creepy faces onto turnips. Before we carved pumpkins, the Irish chiseled creepy faces onto turnips. Pumpkins with ghoulish faces and illuminated by candles are a sure sign of the Halloween season.
Where did Halloween originate?
Yet, the Halloween holiday has its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (a Gaelic word pronounced “SAH-win”), a pagan religious celebration to welcome the harvest at the end of summer, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.
Who invented pumpkin carving?
Celtic cultures were the first to introduce carving to the scene, which later became a staple of Irish culture. The term, “Jack-o’-Lantern” comes from an old Irish folk tale called “Stingy Jack.” Legend has it, that Jack invited the Devil himself to have a drink with him.
What is the story of Stingy Jack?
Jack was told by God that because of his sinful lifestyle of deceitfulness and drinking, he was not allowed into Heaven. Jack then went down to the Gates of Hell and begged for admission into the underworld. Satan, fulfilling his obligation to Jack, could not take his soul.
Why is the name Jack associated with Halloween?
When Jack died, he found himself barred from heaven—and from hell. But the devil took some pity on Jack, giving him an ember of coal to light his turnip lantern as he wandered between both places for eternity—again inspiring the nickname Jack-of-the-Lantern, or jack-o’-lantern.
What do pumpkins symbolize?
Pumpkins are also one of the more resilient fruit, finding ways to grow large and bulging amongst sparse soil and sharing nutrients along a connected vine that reaches into the ground to replenish itself. It is perhaps for this reason that pumpkins have become symbols of prosperity, growth and abundance.
What is the relation between pumpkin and Halloween?
Hundreds of years ago in Ireland, Halloween tradition involved carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns in order to scare the evil spirits passing away through the Irish farms, since then it has become a vegetable synonymous to the festival, which is mostly celebrated by Americans.
Why do we trick or treat on Halloween?
The custom of trick-or-treating on Halloween may come from the belief that supernatural beings, or the souls of the dead, roamed the earth at this time and needed to be appeased.
How long will a carved turnip last?
How long will your Turnip-O-Lantern last? Displayed indoors, a Turnip-O-Lantern should last about three days. It will dry out and wrinkle a bit during that time, but this only contributes to its monstrous quality. Oudoors in a cool environment, your lantern can last about five days.
What are white pumpkins called?
Eerie-looking white pumpkins — naturally white, not painted — are finding their way into more and more homes this Halloween season. The albinos are called Ghost pumpkins, Snowballs, Luminas or Caspers — presumably a reference to the friendly ghost.
What is pumpkin in Irish?
pumpkin. More Irish words for pumpkin. puimcín noun. pumpkin.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.