Like many things, once you think about the process ofmaking a Jack o’ Lantern, it’s a little strange. Hollowing outgourds to carve faces in them is a little bit bizarre. So whodid it first?
Well, the custom of carving different kinds of vegetables can be traced back to early 19th century Ireland. There, turnips were hollowed out and were carved with “scary” faces. These faces were said to ward off evil spirits that walked the earth during the Gaelic festival of Samhain, later known as Halloween. Some also argue that Jack o’ Lanterns represent Christian souls suffering in purgatory. This mostly stems from the fact that Halloween occurs on the eve of All Saint’s Day (November 1). All Saint’s Day has many names, and is essentially used to honor all the saints of the church. Saints are said to have “an exceptional degree of holiness,” and the Jack o’ Lanterns were said to serve as a reminder to the public to strive for that level of dedication to God. Back in Ireland in 1836, a story titled, “The Legend of Jack-o- the-Lantern” was published in the Dublin Penny Journal. Throughout the mid-19th century, different legends of Jack o’ Lanterns emerged. A common one in North America being “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” (1820). Here, the Headless Horseman is often depicted with a pumpkin in place of his severed head, whichis later discovered smashed outside of the main character’s house. In 1879, we saw the Jack o’ Lantern shift from being something scary to being a legend for children. A poem from Funny Nursery Rhymes warns children to not be like the untrustworthy “Master Jack o’ Lantern.” Although illustrated as a Jack o’ Lantern, MasterJack o’ Lantern is more similar to the characterization of a will-o- the-wisp, or a mischievous ghost light from English folklore. Now, Jack o’ Lanterns have become synonymous with Halloween and the harvest season. The United States makes a bigger deal out of Halloween than other countries, but Jack o’ Lanterns can be seen in North America, Europe, and Western parts of Asia during the holiday season as well.