Why We Carve Pumpkins On Halloween, Origins

Ever wonder why we carve pumpkins? Every year children and families get giddy over carving out pumpkins for Halloween and Samhain, but does anyone know the jack-o-lantern origins?

What is the legend behind why we carve pumpkins? And why has it been carried out for so many years? The Fairytale Traveler’s contributing author, Ed Mooney has the answer in a full Irish storytelling manner. This is one you will want to share with the kids.

So, turn down the lights, light your candles, and share the jack-o-lantern origins with the family tonight! Happy Halloween!

Jack-o-lantern Origins, Why We Carve Pumpkins

The Tale of the Jack-O-Lantern and the Legend of Stringy Jack

The first thing you must understand about jack-o-lantern origins and why we carve pumpkins is that Irish emigrants brought their many traditions to the shores of the United States in the early 1800s. This tale is no different.

The tale you are about to read of the jack-o-lantern origins comes from a very old Irish story concerning a man known as ‘Stringy Jack’.

Now, as with many old tales, there are many variations told depending on who is telling the story. Here I will tell it to the best of my ability, the tale of the lack-o-lantern as I remember it being told to me as a child, sitting by the fire on a cold dark night.

Telling stories around the fire never gets old... — Telling stories around the fire never gets old…

Jack was a blacksmith by trade and known locally as a notorious miser and drunk. Jack was forever tormenting people with his miserable antics which included playing tricks on everyone; family, friends, his mother, and even the Devil himself.

Then one night, Jack had the great misfortune to run into the Devil in the local pub.

Now Jack was not a man to be easily daunted, and so he b