Why do we carve pumkins for Halloween? Other than peculiar porch art, is there a reason for it? Is it some nearly forgotten, or commercialized Wiccan or paganist ritual that we participate in every year without knowing why?
2006-10-05 06:16:44 · 13 answers · asked by George Curious 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
In Ireland and Scotland, people began to make their own versions of Jack’s lanterns by carving scary faces into turnips or potatoes and placing them into windows or near doors to frighten away Stingy Jack and other wandering evil spirits. In England, large beets are used. Immigrants from these countries brought the jack o’lantern tradition with them when they came to the United States. They soon found that pumpkins, a fruit native to America, make perfect jack o’lanterns.
You may enjoy reading how it all began.
http://www.jack-o-lantern.com/
Blessings )O(
2006-10-05 06:18:56 · answer #1 · answered by Epona Willow 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Pagan. And they didn't use pumpkins. Evidence shows they used other types of squash and turnips (how, I have no idea). But they were hollowed out and candles placed inside for the dead. Some say it's for the dead relatives to find their way home and others claim it is to scare off any evil spirits that are lurking about on that day. Hallow's Eve is the day the "veil" between the spirit world and the physical one is the thinnest, meaning there is more "super"natural activities going on during that time than any other. Hallow's Eve is a holiday that is like Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, New Years all rolled into one. It is now part of the Wiccan Ritual Year.
BTW, Wicca started in the 1940's... and didn't get to America till the late 60's. Wicca borrows from Pagan ideas (real and improvised), but the holidays themselves, as well as the ideas Wicca represents is Pagan in nature.
2006-10-05 13:32:16 · answer #2 · answered by Kithy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not at all. Pumpkins used to be seen as a way to ward off evil spirits. This was of course back in the 1700s. And it kind of became a tradition.
2006-10-05 13:20:39 · answer #3 · answered by baddrose268 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think Jack-o-lanterns are supposed to ward off evil spirits during Halloween.
2006-10-05 13:22:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
People used to make pumpkin pie with them and roast the pumpkin seeds in the oven.
But now that nobody can actually cook for themselves, they are just for show.
2006-10-05 13:19:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I know that the original purpose of fireworks was to scare away evil spirits. Think about that next July 4th.
2006-10-05 13:19:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I am not to sure why we carve pumpkins, maybe it is a tradition that has been passed along!
2006-10-05 13:19:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Some sort of pagan thing - not sure though. Sorry I'm of no help.
2006-10-05 13:37:39 · answer #8 · answered by jworks79604 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is a conspiracy by the pumpkin grower's consortium.
2006-10-05 13:19:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Why ask why?
You are not obligated to participate...
You could also do something unique if you don't like it.
2006-10-05 13:19:42 · answer #10 · answered by I I 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋