Stories of the origins of the jack-o-lantern have been passed down for centuries in folklore, and it is necessary to revisit these stories to truly explore how to know the history of the jack-o-lantern. Modern jack-o-lanterns bear little resemblance to the original, and like many other Halloween traditions, originated in superstition and paganism.
Tips
Jack O'Lantern has myths and stories surrounding it
Custom stems from superstition
Roots in ancient godworship
Pumpkins are used today instead of turnips, potatoes and beets
Introduction
To understand the history behind the jack-o-lantern, it is best to go through each story that has been passed down to modern day, and examine where the different characteristics of this halloween ritual have come from.
Halloween History: The Jack O'Lantern
A short history of the jack-o-lantern. Additional videos below with more in-depth information on the jack-o-lantern and Stingy Jack.
Stingy Jack
One of the most well-known stories relating to the jack-o-lantern comes from Ancient Celtic Ireland, and it has several versions. The Celts, (pronounced kelts) are partially responsible for the date Halloween falls on. The end of the Celtic year was October 31, and they held a celebration at this time, called Samhain. (More can be found on the history of Halloween and how the Celts figure into it at How To Understand The Origins of Halloween.
The short version of the Celtic myth of Jack goes something like this... Jack was a blacksmith and a drunkard. He was a very stingy man, and earned the name "Stingy Jack". By tricking the devil, he was able to keep his soul from Hell, but since he was too wicked for Heaven, he was condemned to walk the earth forever.
The devil gave him one of the burning coals of Hell and he placed it into a carved out turnip and used it as a lantern for his travels. Many believe that his ghost can still be seen carrying this light in marshes late at night.
The Irish dubbed Jack "Jack Of The Lantern" which was shortened to "Jack O'Lantern".
Longer versions of the story can be found in the following videos.
Videos about Stingy Jack and the Jack O'Lantern
Each story about Stingy Jack is a little different. This is normal when the stories and myths have been handed down by word of mouth for generations. In all of them, he tricks the devil and is doomed to walk the earth with just his lantern for light. In many of the stories, the custom of trick or treat also partially stemmed from Jack.
Videos about Stingy Jack and the Jack O'Lantern
Each story about Stingy Jack is a little different. This is normal when the stories and myths have been handed down by word of mouth for generations. In all of them, he tricks the devil and is doomed to walk the earth with just his lantern for light. In many of the stories, the custom of trick or treat also partially stemmed from Jack.
Superstition and Fear
As previously mentioned, the jack-o-lantern and Halloween itself are entertwined with Samhain, which was a Druidic celebration in the British Isles. During this time, the entrance to burial caves were left open "to allow the spirits to come out for an airing". The Dictionary of Mythology, Folklore and Symbols, Part 2, page 1393 http://books.google.com/books?id=zkA2pO0V-WEC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q=&f=false
People in the British Isles, including Ireland began hollowing out turnips and placing lights inside to scare away these spirits of the night, who they believed walked the night on Halloween. Book of Festival Holidays, 1964, Marguerite Ickis, page 123, 125 http://openlibrary.org/b/OL5919109M/book_of_festival_holidays. The Book of Holidays, 1958, J. Walker McSpadden, pages 149-153 http://books.google.com/books?id=7qE9AAAAYAAJ&dq=The+Book+of+Holidays&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=Kc1UoCKGKJ&sig=kRGIBpqluI_wzKPhBfbd9XOSYes&hl=en&ei=3jfnSv6rB5OQNpi_sa4I&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CA0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=&f=false
In Ireland and Scotland, turnips and potatoes are used, and in England, large beets. These were placed near windows and doors in their homes to scare away Stingy Jack and any other evil spirits that might come by.http://www.history.com/content/halloween/the-jack-o-lantern
Ancient God Worship
The Ancient Celts were Druids, and as such they had very specific rituals for worshiping their gods. Much of their worship stemmed from even more ancient godworship. In fact, the pagan, Celtic worship paralleled the fire-cleansing ceremonies of the ancient Babylonians.The Dictionary of Mythology, Folklore and Symbols, Part I, page 200-201
Celtic legendary history has Partholon and his people arriving in Ireland on a Beltane (May Day). Parthia (the land of Partholon) had conquered ancient Babylon who worshiped the god Bel complete with human sacrifice, and this worship was brought to the Celts. Bel is also called Baal, and has been worshiped since Biblical times.Halloween, Modern Day Sacrifice of the Dead http://yahweh.com/Booklets/Halloween/Halloween.htm
Modern Jack O'Lanterns
Today, this ancient pagan custom is continued, though the use of pumpkins has been substituted for the turnips, potatoes and beets. When the Irish immigrants came to America, they found pumpkins to be plentiful, and adopted them as the vegetable of choice for their superstitions.http://www.thelaboroflove.com/forum/oct00/jacko.html
