If there is ever a smell that brings back memories of youth, it is the aroma de pumpkin innards.
Why do we carve pumpkins? Well, I actually did a little research and found that it is an old Celtic tradition centered around the day of "Samhain" (pronounced: sow wan) Other cultures call it the day of the dead. But, the premise is basically the same. It was believed that the veil between the dead and living was thinnest on this night.
Radishes, potatoes or gourds were carved and burning coals-later replaced by candles-were placed inside to ward off evil spirits who were roaming about. It also served the practical purpose of a light for the front porch when visitors came by; Because it wasn't just evil spirits who were traveling between realms, but also loved ones. So, the night was celebrated as a sort of "Memorial Day" for honoring ancestors with the unfortunate side effect of the malevolent ghosts causing havoc and frightening the good citizens. As these traditions were carried to the Americas, they found pumpkins bigger and easier to hollow out and carve.
Why are they called Jack-o-Lanterns? Has anyone ever heard the story of "Stingy Jack?" Well, then, I will tell you. Jack was a horrible, selfish, cruel person. He tricked the devil into climbing a tree and placed crosses all around the bottom of the tree. The devil was trapped. In exchange for his freedom, Jack made the devil promise not to take his soul to Hell when he died. The devil agreed. However, when Stingy Jack died, his soul wasn't allowed into Heaven because of what a terrible life he had led. He tried to get into Hell, but the devil kept his promise and Jack is now forced to wander the earth with no resting place. He carries a carved turnip and an ember that the devil tossed to him when he complained of no light. He is "Jack-of-the-Lantern."
How do our pumpkins look? Will they work? Are they enough to keep away the evil spirits and Jack-o'-Lantern this year? I hope so. Maybe they will even keep away Trick-or-Treaters! We'll see....
Why do we carve pumpkins? Well, I actually did a little research and found that it is an old Celtic tradition centered around the day of "Samhain" (pronounced: sow wan) Other cultures call it the day of the dead. But, the premise is basically the same. It was believed that the veil between the dead and living was thinnest on this night.
Radishes, potatoes or gourds were carved and burning coals-later replaced by candles-were placed inside to ward off evil spirits who were roaming about. It also served the practical purpose of a light for the front porch when visitors came by; Because it wasn't just evil spirits who were traveling between realms, but also loved ones. So, the night was celebrated as a sort of "Memorial Day" for honoring ancestors with the unfortunate side effect of the malevolent ghosts causing havoc and frightening the good citizens. As these traditions were carried to the Americas, they found pumpkins bigger and easier to hollow out and carve.
Why are they called Jack-o-Lanterns? Has anyone ever heard the story of "Stingy Jack?" Well, then, I will tell you. Jack was a horrible, selfish, cruel person. He tricked the devil into climbing a tree and placed crosses all around the bottom of the tree. The devil was trapped. In exchange for his freedom, Jack made the devil promise not to take his soul to Hell when he died. The devil agreed. However, when Stingy Jack died, his soul wasn't allowed into Heaven because of what a terrible life he had led. He tried to get into Hell, but the devil kept his promise and Jack is now forced to wander the earth with no resting place. He carries a carved turnip and an ember that the devil tossed to him when he complained of no light. He is "Jack-of-the-Lantern."
How do our pumpkins look? Will they work? Are they enough to keep away the evil spirits and Jack-o'-Lantern this year? I hope so. Maybe they will even keep away Trick-or-Treaters! We'll see....
4 comments:
hi it's nice blog
Me Rajesh
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Way to go, they look great! Sorry they won't keep away my trick-or-treaters!
Cool research. The story of Jack is kind of creepy, though. It's amazing the kinds of things we commemorate through children's fun. (I'm thinking of ring-around-the-rosy right now).
Those are some pretty awesome pumpkins! Thanks for enlightening us on all the Halloween trivia.
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