WOODCARVING & ACCESSORIES

The History of Pumpkin Carving

The most recognizable symbol of Halloween is a pumpkin that has been carved into a jack-o-lantern. Yet in order to understand the origins of how pumpkin carving began, and what it really means, it is important to first take a look at the holiday itself. While Halloween seems like a simple childrens holiday it actually has a long and varied history. If you are wondering how long Halloween has been around and why pumpkins play a part in it, here is what you want to know about craving pumpkins for Halloween.

For most people Halloween is a night for dressing up, telling ghost stories, having spooky parties, trick-or-treating and pumpkin carving. What many people do not know is that Halloween is actually based on an ancient Celtic holiday known as Samhain (pronounced "sow wan"), which means "summer's end". This holiday was held at the end of the Celtic year, starting at sundown on October 31st and going through to sundown November 1st. The Celts chose this night to honor dead loved ones because it was believed that the veil that separated the two realms was thinnest on Halloween. This holiday was celebrated for centuries by the Celts of old, Witches and many other nature based religions, and for them was the most magical night of the year. Halloween is also referred to as the Last Harvest and the Witches New Year. Halloween is still considered a magical night even though the religious significance has largely passed!

On this magical night, glowing jack-o-lanterns that were usually carved from turnips or gourds were set on porches and in windows to welcome deceased family, but also to act as protection against malevolent spirits. In some cultures people would carry a jack-o-latern on Halloween to ward off evil spirits. Originally burning coal was used to illuminate the jack-o-laterns, but was eventually replaced with the candles we are all familiar with.

When European settlers, (particularly the Irish), arrived in America they found the native pumpkin to be much larger and therefore easier to carve. It seemed the perfect choice for jack-o-lanterns. Irish legend holds that the Jack O'Lantern got it's name from a man, Jack, who succeeded in tricking the Devil several times in his lifetime. After he died Heaven refused him entry so he went down to Hell to appeal to the Devil. According to the tale, Jack ended up in limbo between Heaven and Hell and the Devil had pity on him and gave him a piece of coal to light his way. So the aptly named pumpkin with a candle or burning coal inside came to be known as Jack O Lantern.

It is interesting to note that Halloween did not really catch on big in this country until the late 1800's and yet has been celebrated in so many ways ever since! While it has certainly had humble beginnings, Halloween enjoys widespread celebration today.

Pumpkins are indigenous to the western hemisphere and were completely unknown in Europe before the time of Columbus. Historical records show that in 1584, the French explorer Jacques Cartier reported from the St. Lawrence region that he had found a type of melon that is now known as pumpkins. It has also been shown that pumpkins have been grown in America for over 5,000 years and were called"isquotersquash" by Native Americans.

Horticulturists have classified the pumpkin as a fruit not as a vegetable. Pumpkins, like gourds, and other varieties of squash are all members of the Cucurbitaceous family, which also includes cucumbers, gherkins, and melons.

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Extreme Pumpkin Carving: 20 Amazing Designs from Frightful to Fabulous $6.99 Providing a new twist on a holiday tradition, this book illustrates how to carve three-dimensional faces and scenes in pumpkins using tools ranging from kitchen knives to carving gouges and chisels. Complete information is provided for getting started, including an overview of tools and tips for finding the best pumpkin to work with. Step-by-step instructions are detailed for using handy household…

Play With Your Pumpkins $5.00 “Why must a pumpkin’s face be carved on its side when there is a natural nose begging to be the center of an incredibly expressive face?” ask pumpkin artists Joost Elffers and Saxton Freymann at the beginning of their delightful mix of photography, folklore, and recipes, Play with Your Pumpkins. And indeed, the pair have turned the jack-o’-lantern on its side (literally) with the happy, sad,…