Halloween on the Net - The Pumpkin Patch, Halloween Pumpkins, Jack'o'Lantern, Jack-o-Lantern

The Pumpkin Patch

The Celts that lived in what is now Great Britain and Northern France would carry a lantern when they walked on the eve of October 31. These lanterns were carved out of big turnips and the lights were believed to keep the evil spirits away. Children would carve faces in the turnips. These carved turnips were called "jack-o-lanterns.

Legends have it that the "jack-o-lantern" got its name from a stingy and mean old man, named Jack, who when he died was too mean to get into heaven. When Jack went to hell he was meet by the Devil who gave him a piece of burning coal and sent him away. Jack placed the burning coal in a turnip to use as a lantern to light his way. The legends claim that Jack is still walking with the lantern looking for a place to stay.

When the early settlers came to America they found the big round orange pumpkin. Being larger and much more colorful than turnips, the pumpkin made great "jack-o-lanterns". Eventually the pumpkin would replace the turnip.

As the settlers spread across America they took their Halloween celebrations with them. The custom of the "jack-o-lantern" would travel with them. Eventually the Pumpkin would become the most widely recognized symbol of the Halloween holiday.

Find a variety of themes and styles for your next Halloween Costume.

Like this article?

Click here to link to this article

Just copy and paste the code below to add this link to your page.

Click here to share this article with friend

Add Comment

Name:
E-Mail:
Location:
Message:

Comments

ches from California, US

14:42 01/16/2010

great craft ideas

boni

11:54 10/28/2009

lots of unknown information and fun with the crafts keep up the good works

mahsa

05:38 07/07/2009

it was very fun. good................

tatiana from Connecticut, US

11:47 06/03/2009

!m just ch!ll!n but,was up p3opl3s $$$$$$$$$$

Shawn from Oklahoma, US

20:11 10/31/2008

Happy Halloween, Hope you have a night of Dark magicks and Dead spirits...

selena from Connecticut, US

14:31 10/31/2008

HAPPY HALLAWEEN PEOPLES!

taylor from New Hampshire, US

12:16 10/31/2008

i didnteven read it and I bet it would of been boring.

Brady Faul from North Dakota, US

10:24 10/31/2008

it wasn't bad it could be more exciting though.

allan

19:40 10/30/2008

is it true

taylor from Kansas, US

15:12 10/30/2008

this stoy was ok

Visit our other holiday celebrations

Your Email
Your Name
Your Friends Email
Your Friends Name
Your Message