Halloween, a holiday celebrated in several countries in the world. With it comes an abundance of free candy, clever costumes, and spooky decor.

We love our skeletons, witches, and monsters but one particular pumpkin-faced friend comes to mind. The unspoken mascot of Halloween, Jack O’ Lantern, combines equal parts whimsy and spook.

But how did this Jack O’ Lantern come to be?

Let’s talk about that.

  • Turnip Jack O' Lantern
    Turnip Jack O’ Lantern…I have no words
  • Cornish Jack O’ Lantern AKA Nightmare fuel

Jack O’ Lanterns were originally made out of turnips or other root vegetables. Irish immigrants brought the tradition to the US, switching to using the pumpkin, a fruit native to America. The pumpkin was abundant and very easy to carve…also, they made for much less anguished looking lanterns.

D’awww look at all those adorable little trapped souls

There are many theories explaining why people carved Jack O’ Lanterns. Some say they were used to protect homes and to ward off any unwanted evil spirit visitors during Samhain, a Gaelic harvest festival during which spirits were said to wander the earth. Some theorize that the Jack O’ Lantern’s flame represents Christian souls that are trapped in purgatory.

The Will O’ The Wisp, also known as the Jack O’ Lantern, is an element of folklore found in many cultures. They are said to be flickering lights, often found near water. Travelers are said to watch out as the Jack O’ Lantern can easily lead one astray.

The folklore behind the origin story of the Jack O’ Lantern is also subject to much debate. The story of Stingy Jack is said to have played a part in the creation of the legend:

“Stingy Jack was a miserable, old drunk who took pleasure in playing tricks on just about everyone: family, friends, his mother and even the Devil himself. One day, he tricked the Devil into climbing up an apple tree. After the Devil climbed up the tree, Stingy Jack hurriedly placed crosses around the trunk of the tree. Unable to touch a cross, the Devil was stuck in the tree. Stingy Jack made the Devil promise him not to take his soul when he died. Once the devil promised not to take his soul, Stingy Jack removed the crosses, and the Devil climbed down out of the apple tree.

Many years later, Jack died, he went to the pearly gates of Heaven and was told by Saint Peter that he was mean and cruel, and had led a miserable, worthless life on earth. Stingy Jack was not allowed to enter heaven. He then went down to Hell and the Devil. The Devil kept his promise and would not allow him to enter Hell. Now Jack was scared . He had nowhere to go, but to wander about forever in the dark Netherworld between heaven and hell. He asked the Devil how he could leave, as there was no light. The Devil tossed him an ember from the flames of Hell, to help Stingy Jack light his way. Jack had a Turnip with him. It was one of his favorite foods, and he always carried one with him. Jack hollowed out the Turnip, and placed the ember the Devil had given him, inside the turnip. From that day onward, Stingy Jack roamed the earth without a resting place, lighting his way as he went with his “Jack O’Lantern”. (source)

So the Jack O’ Lantern might have been used as a way to memorialize or scare off Stingy Jack. No one knows for sure.

Whatever you say, creepy humanoid pumpkin man

While there is no definitive history behind the pumpkin lantern, it is certainly a fascinating part of our modern-day lore!

Happy Halloween, friends!