However, that only explains the carving and illuminating of pumpkins. It is likely that immigrants brought this custom to America and, finding turnips scarce, used native pumpkins instead. The custom was carried on by Christians during the feast of All Hallows' Eve-observed on October 31 and etymologically related to Halloween-the evening before All Saints' (or All Hallows') Day. One theory begins by associating the illumination of a hollowed-out pumpkin with a Celtic pagan practice in which turnips or other root vegetables were hollowed out, carved with grotesque faces, and then illuminated by coal, wooden embers, or candles as a way to ward off evil spirits. These illuminated jack o'lanterns are placed to form impressive displays from the Statue of Liberty to the infamous legend of Sleepy Hollow bridge. This renowned Halloween experience features over 7,000 hand carved jack o'lanterns. One of the tri-state's most exciting Fall events, The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze, has now been extended through November 30th. It's easy to grasp how people might have associated the natural phenomenon to flickering distant lanterns (held by Jack) however, the connection of jack-o'-lantern to a carved, lit pumpkin is not as clear. What's less certain is how the name came to be applied to a hollowed-out pumpkin.Īt the same time, jack-o'-lantern was applied to another kind of light: the flame-like phosphorescence caused by gases from decaying plants in marshy areas, also known as ignis fatuus-a Medieval Latin term that means literally "foolish fire"-or will-o'-the-wisp. We know where 'jack-o'-lantern' comes from.
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