Halloween is October 31. Do you carve or paint a pumpkin for Halloween? Whether you paint or carve a scary face for your Jack O’Lantern, did you know that you are continuing an ancient tradition based on an old Irish myth? While you read this spooky story remember that a myth is a person, story or thing that is only imaginary.
According to an ancient Irish myth, Stingy Jack sat down to have a drink with the devil. And just like his name tells us, Stingy Jack didn’t want to pay for his drink. He cajoled the devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack would use to pay for their drinks. But as soon as the devil did so, Jack pocketed the coin! Jack kept a small silver cross in that same pocket and the cross kept the devil from changing back into his true form. Jack struck a deal with the devil and freed him under the condition that he would not trouble Jack for one year and would not claim his soul if he died.
When the agreed year was up, the devil returned, but Jack tricked him again. He convinced the devil that he should climb into a tree to pick a ripe piece of fruit. Jack carved a sign of the cross into the trunk of the tree so that the devil couldn’t come down until he promised Jack not to bother him for ten more years.
Not long after, Jack died. Legend has it that such an unsavoury character could not be accepted into heaven. Meanwhile, the devil, angered by the tricks Jack had played on him and keeping his word, would not claim his soul or allow Jack into hell. He sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his path.
Jack carved out a turnip and put the coal in it so it wouldn’t burn his hands. According to the myth, Jack has been roaming the Earth ever since, carrying his turnip lantern. The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as “Jack of the Lantern” and then simply as “Jack O’Lantern.”
People in Ireland, Scotland and England began to carve scary faces into turnips, potatoes and beets. They would place them in windows and doorways to frighten away the roaming ghost of Stingy Jack and other wandering spirits.
When immigrants from these countries came to America, they brought the Jack O’Lantern tradition with them. Here they quickly discovered what you already know; pumpkins make perfect Jack O’Lanterns!