2006-10-22 21:16:29 · 13 answers · asked by b.hole 3 in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
The traditional Halloween pumpkin head - or Jack o'Lantern - appears to originate from Irish folklore. It is probably an example of warding against evil spirits believed to be abroad
2006-10-22 21:18:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because it is a seasonal vegetable this time of year - and you can take out the bit to eat and have 'fun' with the rest! In a way, I guess it is symbolic of what it is celebrating - All Hallows was the 1st November in the Celtic calender and it was supposed to celebrate the souls that had passed this year and hope that they enter a better place. The bit you use on the pumpkin is the outer shell and maybe symbolic in that way!? Just a guess though. Plus in 'ye older days' you used everything so nothing went to waste....
2006-10-23 04:24:40 · answer #2 · answered by deli_cate2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pumpkins are representative of the Fall Harvest. They are commonly around at the same time of year as Halloween and so they have become associated with it.
2006-10-23 06:33:29 · answer #3 · answered by Carole 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it is because originally (I'm not sure, I just think) Halloween was a time to celebrate crops for farmers? And so, well, pumpkins are a crop, so yeah, plus, around fall, it really is a way to welcome it to our door, we have jack-o-lanterns because now, kids, and adults and whomever else goes trick or treating, well, go trick or treating, so, now some people like to decorate their houses scary so then the kids will get scared and well, I don't know, it's just, adapted to our version of Halloween, so we get pumpkins (one of Fall's beautiful creations) and carve them to look scary, making them Jack-o-Lanterns... Again, I'm not sure, but if I'm right, hope this helped you!
2006-10-23 04:31:39 · answer #4 · answered by $CiNDy$LiNDy$ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Halloween or All hollows eve is an Autumn harvest festival and pumpkins are plentifully, making them into jack-o-lanterns is to ward off evil spirits that are loosed on that day, as it is also a pagan witching holiday
2006-10-23 04:30:44 · answer #5 · answered by sexy me 123 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is true that pumkins are in abundance at this time of year, but in truth, as mentioned in a previous answer, it originates from the irish people, but they originally used turnips. however, when a lot of irish migrated to america, at that time, they found that there wasnt many turnips, but lots of pumpkins, so they used them instead....hope thats a help
2006-10-23 04:56:33 · answer #6 · answered by hayhed_2k6 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why not?
it was traditional to carve up a pumpkin and stick it on your head to scare people
2006-10-23 05:18:24 · answer #7 · answered by jimmyc1163 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because there are alot of pumpkins around that time of year
2006-10-23 04:19:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you are religous it is meant to scare away any evil spirits apparantly
2006-10-23 05:10:23 · answer #9 · answered by theatreliferulesforever 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if u hav ever visited halloween parties u will know it
2006-10-23 04:58:29 · answer #10 · answered by Megan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋