![]() In Ireland, where the jack-o-lantern tradition is said to have originated, turnips and beetroots were carved into faces on All Saints’ Day (November 1st) to represent the people in purgatory, ward away evil spirits and to guide the guisers (trick-or-treaters). The Maori people even used to carve gourds to use as lanterns 700 years ago, the Maori word for gourd is also used to describe a lamp-shade. The practice of carving vegetables in this manner is virtually universal, it is likely that carving gourds has been happening for thousands of years. The earliest account of this story comes from the 19th century and explains the name jack-o-lantern.The origin of the tradition of lantern carving is somewhat more uncertain. Jack placed this ember in a hollowed out turnip to use as a lantern to light his way, becoming known as Jack of the Lantern.Ĭornish jack-o-lantern made from a turnip Jack was cursed to roam the world for eternity, and to warn others he was given an ember from Hell that never died. The Devil, true to his previous promise, also refused Jack entry. Seeing no alternative Jack went to the Gates of Hell and begged the Devil to let him in. St Peter reminded Jack of his sinful life and that in view of the multitude of transgressions Jack would not be allowed into Heaven. However, soon after Jack’s binge drinking caught up with him and his soul appeared before St Peter at the Pearly Gates of Heaven. That would seem to have been the end of the matter. This time, to bargain for his freedom, the Devil was forced into declaring that he would never lay claim to Jack’s soul ever again. At this point Jack surrounded the base of the tree with crucifixes, thereby trapping the Devil yet again. Foolishly the Devil acquiesced and climbed up the tree. He claimed that he was starving and asked if the Devil would pick him an apple from a nearby tree. However, the Devil had clearly forgotten the cunning Irishman’s previous trick. Ten years later to the day and the Devil returned to collect Jack’s soul. ![]() Foiled by Jack’s cunning the Devil had no choice but to agree to Jack’s demand, namely to spare his soul for the next ten years. Trapped by the power of the cross the devil could not turn himself back. Jack, however, put the silver coin into his pocket, which also contained a crucifix. Somewhat taken aback, and presumably lacking in money, the Devil decided that the best course of action was to turn himself into a silver coin for Jack to give to the bar keeper. Once Jack had slaked his thirst he told the Devil to pay the bill. Seeing no reason to refuse the Devil took Jack to a nearby pub and ordered several rounds of ale which Jack duly consumed. Jack pleaded one last request, that he be allowed one last drink of ale. Jack eventually, and surprisingly soberly, realized that the corpse was, in fact, the Devil, come to collect his evil soul. At one point he came across a body on the cobblestone path, its face contorted in an eerie grimace. One night Jack was stumbling through the countryside, typically drunk. Jack’s bad reputation became the envy of the Devil himself, who subsequently went out to see for himself if Jack was as bad as he had heard. ![]() The legend behind the jack-o-lantern tells the story of an Irishman called Stingy Jack, a drunk, deceiving and manipulating all-round dreg of society. This is similar to the idea behind the jack-o-lantern which acts as the reverse of the Japanese tradition, it is used to ward away the evil spirits. Often a candle is put outside the front door so that your forebears can find their way home. In Japan the day of the dead occurs on the 15th of August (or July), the bon festival where the spirits of the ancestors return to the world of the living. This kind of festival is done all over the world. In the liturgical calendar Halloween is a time to remember the dead, in particular the saints (the hallowed) and martyrs. ![]() This is the time of year when the weather has started getting progressively worse, when the first of salvos the annual bombardment of Christmas adverts begin, and of course when people dress up as miscellaneous undead and carve Jack-o-lanterns for Halloween. Traditional Irish jack-o-lantern, Museum of Country Life, Ireland
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