There are many traditions that exist yet many of us don't know how they got started! During the fall and Halloween season, pumpkin carving is a popular pastime.
Despite what you might think, Americans were not the first to carve these things! This tradition comes from European ancestors and dates back to centuries ago and an Irish myth about a man known as "Stingy Jack".
This tale tells a story of how Jack met with the devil, shared a drink, and due to his cheapness, convinced the devil to transform into a coin that he could use to pay for their drinks. Once the devil did this, he was not able to change back into his original form until he promised Jack he wouldn't take his soul! Next, Jack convinced the devil to climb up a tree and steal fruit and he couldn't come down until agreeing not to bother Jack for another 10 years! Not long after these meetings, Jack died.
Once the 10 years passed, Jack was sent by the devil into the dark night to roam the world for the rest of his life, with only a coal to light the way. Jack lit his coal, placed it in a hollowed-out turnip, and has been roaming around the world, scaring children ever since.
He became known as “Jack of the lantern,” eventually shortened to “Jack o’ lantern.” People started carving their own lanterns from pumpkins in hopes of keeping away any ghosts or spirits. Over time, the tradition reached America and the pumpkin became the symbol of Halloween! So now, carving pumpkins is associated with family fun rather than spookiness.
Remember the spirit of Stingy Jack this October and share the scary tale with friends and family while carving pumpkins!