What is the history of the jack-o-lantern?

Question

i understand it is used for haloween but why haloween?

Answer 1

The Jack-O-Lantern

When we think of Jack-o-Lanterns today we think of the carved pumpkins with candles lighting them brightly from within; but did you know that the Jack-o-Lantern actually has deep historical roots and originally didn't even involve a pumpkin? The Jack-o-Lantern stems from an old Irish myth about a man named Stingy Jack.
Stingy Jack

"Stingy Jack." According to the story, Stingy Jack, an Irish blacksmith and notorious drunk, had the great misfortune to run into the Devil in a pub. Jack invited the Devil to have a drink with him. True to his name, Stingy Jack didn't want to pay for his drink, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a sixpence that Jack could use to buy their drinks in exchange for Jack's soul. Once the Devil did so, Jack decided to keep the money and put it into his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form. Jack eventually freed the Devil, under the condition that he would not bother Jack and not try to claim his soul for ten years. When the ten years had passed, Jack ran into the Devil as he walked down a country road. The Devil was anxious to claim what was due but Jack stalled. Jack thought quickly and said to the devil. "I'll go, but before I go, will you get me an apple from that tree?" The Devil thinking he had nothing to lose climbed the tree as Jack pointed to the choicest apple. Perturbed, the Devil climbed high into the tree after the apple Jack selected. When he was high up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree's bark so that the Devil could not come down. Jack, very proud of himself made the Devil promise to never again ask him for his soul. Seeing no other choice the Devil reluctantly agreed.

Soon after, Jack died. As the legend goes, God would not allow such an unsavory figure into heaven. The Devil, upset by the trick Jack had played on him and keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not allow Jack into hell. Being unable to go to heaven or hell Jack asked the Devil where he should go. The Devil only replied, "Back where you came from!" The way back was very dark so Jack begged the Devil to at least give him a light to find his way. The Devil tossed Jack burning coal from the fire of hell to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip and has been roaming the Earth with ever since. The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as "Jack of the Lantern," and then, simply "Jack O'Lantern." Today we commonly spell it jack-o-lantern or jack-o'-lantern.

In Ireland and Scotland, people believed that spirits and ghosts could enter their world on Halloween. These spirits and ghosts would be attracted to the comforts of their earthly lives. People not wanting to be visited by these ghosts would set food and treats out to appease the roaming spirits and 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. They were softer and easier to carve than the turnips and potatoes of their homeland.

So remember this Halloween when you are carving your pumpkin the moral of the story of Stingy Jack.

Answer 2

an alive pumpkin head is pretty scary... lol.. there was a murderer that were a pumpkin mask by the makin a a 9 year old boy... and ever since then they carved pumpkins to scare ppl "thinking the man came back to life" n now its just a tradition... also they call it jack-o-lantern because when u put a candle into it, it becomes a lantern. and jack was a famous name for items... so forth "Jack- in-a-box" "The Jack Candle" etc.

Answer 3

nicely.. halloween all started out in eire some years in the past. it grew to become into prevalent as all hallows eve. they could positioned the jack o lanterns in the front of the door to stay sparkling of evil spirits.

Answer 4

Actually i dont mean to scare u but a jack-o-lantern means dat u have sympathy 2 the devil! and dat iz very VERY bad!!!
Halloween was actually a day when all da scary rituals took place and they would sacrifice real people! Plz Tell everyone you know not to celerbate this evil day!!!

I HOPE U CHOSE DA RIGHT CHOICE!!

Answer 5

The term Jack of the Lantern first appeared in print in 1750 and referred to a night watchman or a man carrying a lantern. Previous to print, it was used to describe a strange light flickering over the marshes of Ireland. If approached, the light advanced and was always out of reach. The mysterious occurrence is also known as will o' the wisp and ignis fatuus, Gaelic for foolish fire. However, its legendary status reaches far back into Irish folklore with a story of a stingy drunkard named Jack.


Jack, an Irish blacksmith, had the misfortune of running into the Devil in a pub on Halloween. Jack had imbibed a bit too much that evening and was about to fall prey to the Devil, but the quick thinking trickster made a bargain with the Devil, nonetheless. In exchange for one last drink, Jack offered up his soul. The Devil changed his form into a sixpence in which to make payment to the bartender, but Jack pocketed the coin in a bag with a silver cross with the knowledge that the Devil couldn't revert form. Once under Jack's thumb, and in his purse, the Devil agreed not to come for Jack's soul for another ten years.



Ten years later, the Devil came across Jack walking on a country road and explained to him that he was there to collect Jack's soul. Not ready to go, Jack, pretending to comply, asked the Devil if he would climb an apple tree first and give him an apple. The Devil, thinking he had nothing to lose, climbed the tree, but as he was plucking the requested apple, Jack pulled out his knife and carved the sign of the cross in the tree's trunk. The Devil was unable to come back down and Jack procured an agreement from him. The Devil would never take his soul.


Years later, Jack finally died. He went to Heaven, but was dismissed from the gates due to his drinking, tricking, and miserly ways. He then went to Hell, but was denied entrance because the Devil remembered his promise. Jack asked, "But where am I to go?" And the Devil replied, "Back to where you came from".


The way back was dark and windy, so Jack pleaded with the Devil to at least grant him light in which to find his way. The Devil, in a magnanimous un-Devil like manner, tossed Jack an ember from the fires of Hell. Jack shielded the ember in a turnip he'd been eating and left Hell to wander back.


Ever since, Jack has been doomed to wander in the darkness alone, and his name and lantern are synonymous with a damned soul.


The fear of souls like Jack's venturing back to the warmth of their previous homes on Halloween spawned a custom that is carried on today. Originally, Irish villagers, concerned about the possibility of visits from past occupants, would dress in costume to frighten away ghosts. They also left food outside the door to appease the spirits and carved or painted faces on turnips, potatoes, rutabagas, or beets to place in windows or doors in order to chase away ghosts with the symbol of a damned soul.


The Irish Potato Famine of the mid-1800's prompted a massive immigration to the Americas. With the Irish, came their beliefs and traditions, including the use of a jack o' lantern. The Irish discovered that turnips were not readily available in the Americas and substituted the vegetable with pumpkins instead.


The jack o' lantern is easily the most recognized and used symbol of Halloween in modern age. Not only is it used outside front doors in traditional form, but it's become the veritable treat container for trick or treaters. While the face of the jack o' lantern has changed over the years with the advent of pumpkin carving kits, it's still an ongoing tradition.

Answer 6

I was always told that a man named Jack invented them since he was a employee of a Security Company and needed to see at night!! lol

Answer 7

Look here:
http://www.jack-o-lantern.com/

Answer 8

this history started in 2004 when the sox who the world series and they're about to do it again!!!
go sox!!!!!!!!!!!
yankees $uk!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 9

http://www.theholidayspot.com/halloween/jack_o_lantern.htm

http://njnj.essortment.com/jackolantern_reuu.htm




g-day!