Pumpkin Carving Ghost
Posted on Friday, June 27th, 2008 at 12:07 am
Why Do We Carve Pumpkins on Halloween
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've ever wondered why we carve pumpkins in to jack-o-lanterns, the following is a look at the history of 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". The Celtic celebration started at sundown on October 31st, lasted until sundown November 1st and marked the end of the Celtic year. It was considered a night to honor loved ones that had passed on since it was believed that the veil between their realm and ours is at it's thinnest on that night. 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. Today, although the religious significance of it has passed for the general public, Halloween is still considered a "magical" night for all!
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 loved ones, but also to act as protection against malevolent spirits. In some countries a carved jack olantern was carried about by Halloween revelers in an attempt to scare off evil spirits as well. 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. An Irish legend recounts that the Jack OLantern was named after a reprobate named Jack who tricked the Devil several times when he was alive. After he died Heaven refused him entry so he went down to Hell to appeal to the Devil. The story says that the Devil took pity on Jack and gave him a piece of burning coal to light his way as he stayed in limbo between Heaven and Hell. 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 observed 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 is believed pumpkins have been grown in America for more than 5,000 years and that Native Americans called them "isquotersquash".
Horticulturists have classified the pumpkin as a fruit not as a vegetable. Pumpkins, gourds and other squash, cucumbers, gherkins and melons are all members of the Cucurbitaceous family.
Pumpkin Carving – Ghost Pokemon
|
|
Happy Pumpkins Kitchen Towels 2 -pk $9.95 Let these jolly towels liven up your kitchen decor and help you celebrate a “happy” Halloween. Cute jack o lantern and candy corn graphics will get you in the Halloween spirit!… |
|
|
Jack-O’-Lanterns Kitchen Towel $5.99 Jack-o’-lanterns stacked up on this kitchen towel casts a stylish spell! This cute kitchen towel lends a festive touch to your home. |
|
|
Spooky Cat Kitchen Towel And Potholder Set $12.95 This kitchen towel and potholder set is straight from the patch! The cat with witch hat and hanging spider with glitter cob web accent lend a fun touch to your kitchen. Complete your seasonal decor with this towel and pot mitt set. In orange/multi…. |
|
|
Halloween – Pumpkin Carving – 18W x 12H – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $19.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l… |
|
|
Halloween – Pumpkin Carving – 24W x 16H – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $33.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l… |
|
|
Halloween Pumpkin Carving Decorative Nightlight $11.49 Handcrafted in the USA to the highest standards by ” Decoration Sensation ” using licensed materials with great individual care and attention to detail. We are certain that you will be completely delighted and satisfied with our product. All purchased Items will arrive via USPS and a the tracking # will be sent to you. We also offer matching Drawer Knobs, Outlet Covers, Double Size Switchplates, T… |
|
|
Jack O’ Lantern Pumpkin Ghost Jello Mold Candy Dish Party Supply $2.95 candy dish… |
|
|
Best Witches Candy and Snacks Gift Tote – Halloween Gift Basket Make trick or treating extra fun this year with our “Best Witches” gift tote filled with goodies, guaranteed to make your little ghosts and goblins smile. Your gift starts with this great felt trick or treating tote bag with handles, great for trick or treating. Open the tote to reveal the Too Good Gourmet Best Witches Cookies, theater size Dot’s Halloween Candy Box, Witchy Warts Candy, Halloween … |
|
|
Play With Your Pumpkins $5.00 More than an oversized vegetable, ancient cu ltures considered the pumpkin a symbol of the whole world. P lay With Your Pumpkins offers a lively history of this veget able as well as 22 succulent recipes for all occasions. ‘… |
|
|
Pumpkin Carving $4.07 … |
|
|
Puzzled Halloween Pick – Pumpkin Ghost $9.06 The Halloween sticks are colorful and a great add for your halloween display. There are 7 designs to choose from to decorate your home, from a spooky skull to an orange pumpkin and even a scary witch. All the halloween sticks come with a unique color and design by puzzled…. |
|
|
Puzzled Halloween Pick – Ghost $9.06 The Halloween sticks are colorful and a great add for your halloween display. There are 7 designs to choose from to decorate your home, from a spooky skull to an orange pumpkin and even a scary witch. All the halloween sticks come with a unique color and design by puzzled…. |