The witches and ghosts are upon us and it will soon be time to carve the pumpkins. Ever wonder why we call them Jack-O-Lanterns?
A lighting of vegetables comes from the British Isles. The actually used turnips, (that must have been hard to carve), which they would use for the Gaelic festival of Samhain. They would carve these turnips and put a candle inside.
The lit turnip was used to light your way on Samhain, to represent spirits and to protect your home from evil. But why the name Jack you might ask.
As legend has it, there lived in Ireland a stingy, thieving farmer named Jack. He was being chased by the villagers for something he had stolen when he came upon the devil. The devil told him it was time to die but Jack came up with a plan where the devil turned himself into a coin and Jack would pay the villagers for what he had stolen. When the coin disappeared the Christian villagers would fight amongst themselves allowing for more souls for the devil to take. Great plan and the devil agreed
.
Turning himself into a gold coin and hopping into Jack's wallet the devil found himself trapped as Jack wrapped his wallet with the sign of the cross.
Jack agreed to let the devil go on one condition. He would never take Jack's soul. The devil agreed.
One day the inevitable came and Jack died. Being such a bad person he was not welcome in heaven and having made the pact with the devil he was not welcome in hell either. Jack complained to the devil about wondering in the darkness so the devil tossed him an ember from hell that would never burn out.
Jack carved himself out a turnip ( his favourite vegetable) and placed the ember inside. He roamed the earth with his turnip lit like a lantern and became know as "Jack-O-Lantern."
Through out history the Jack-O-Lantern became a symbol to ward off evil. In Europe they were put on porches and in windows to ward off vampires. It was said when a vampire saw the glowing turnip they would not bother the person living in the house.
When people came to America from the British Isles they brought the tradition with them only instead of the turnip they used pumpkins which were plentiful and I am sure much easier to carve.
So when you are carving your pumpkins this year, think about how they are not just a jolly orange smiling or spooky face but they are protecting your home from the spirits of All Hallows Eve.
Don't forget to pop over to RESCUE DOGS MATCH and make a donation. It does not matter how small we are in desperate need of funds. If you cannot make a donation you could help by posting this on your blog. I am going to do a Silent Auction this weekend so please stop by and see what is being offered.
Fun post Sue....I do remember hearing that story....but it was a long, long, time ago! And you found some wonderful photos of Jacks indeed! Love the white ones...and who can resist the sweet orange kitty all lit up in the first? ;o) Happy Friday! Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin
ReplyDeleteThank you for the "enlightenment" on Jack'O Lantern. A great story!
ReplyDeleteHi Sue......loved that story of the pumpkins...or turnip.......great pumpkin pictures.....happy it wards of evil in the home......Will post the dog rescue match picture on my blog...hope it helps......Blessings Francine.
ReplyDeleteThese are awesome photos..I love them and also the great story.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you will visit my blog for some fun photo's. Thank you for sharing.
momentsinaneye.blogspot.com
How very interesting. I had never heard that story before. Carving turnips must have been challenging! Beautiful pictures, some of the designs are wonderful.
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