Jack-o’-lanterns are arguably the most iconic Halloween decoration ever created. Whenever you see a pumpkin with a carved face, you know Halloween must be right around the corner. These decorations are fun to look at and even more fun to create! Pumpkin carving is a Halloween tradition that dates back many years and still holds a place in the hearts of those who like to participate in Halloween festivities. This tradition is fun and exciting because it brings out your creativity and imagination during the fall season. Keep reading below to learn more about the jack-o’-lantern’s origin!
A Man Nicknamed “Stingy Jack”
The jack-o’-lantern is said to have been created in 19th-century Ireland by a man nicknamed “Stingy Jack”. As the story goes on, Stingy Jack invites the devil to have a drink with him but refuses to pay for it. So he convinced the devil to turn himself into a coin for Jack to use and pay for their drinks. The devil agreed, but instead of paying, Jack decided to pocket the coin next to a silver cross, preventing the devil from returning to his original form.
Eventually, Jack freed the devil under the condition that the devil would not bother Jack for one year and that if Jack died, the devil would not claim his soul. A year later, Jack tricked the devil into climbing up a tree for a piece of fruit. While the devil was in the tree, Jack carved a cross into the bark, which prevented the devil from climbing down until he promised not to bother Jack for 10 more years. Jack eventually dies and is refused into heaven by God and also refused into hell by the devil. Since the devil was still upset with Jack, he sent him into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way, which Jack placed into a carved turnip. Since then, the Irish have called Jack’s ghost the jack-o’-lantern.
From Turnips to Pumpkins
In Ireland and Scotland, people enjoyed this story so much that they began making their versions of Stingy Jack’s lanterns! They began carving faces into turnips and placing them on their windows and doorsteps to keep away the ghost of Stingy Jack and other evil spirits. In England, people began carving faces out of large beets, and in the U.S., people began carving faces out of pumpkins! Eventually, this fun activity became closely associated with Halloween!
Nights of the Jack 2025
Hang on tight! The most spooktacular Halloween event of the year will return in the fall of 2025 at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas, CA! Until then, be sure to stay up to date with our blog page and keep a close eye on tickets once they are available for purchase!