The jack o lantern faces represent carvable pumpkins or any other root vegetable commonly utilized during Halloween as decorative Halloween lanterns. The traditional jack o ‘lanterns originated in Irish culture and were outlined in the United States by Irish immigrants. The scary jack o lantern faces are used to signify supernatural beings or spirits. The creepy jack o lanterns are used as a tradition to stave off harmful and evil spirits. It is said that the Irish used to keep carved pumpkins outside their homes by their doors or windows to protect them from any evil spirits during Halloween.
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The History Of The Jack O Lantern Faces
The history dates back to the 1500s around a boy named Jack in Ireland. As the narrative goes, a boy named Stinky Jack once summoned the devil to have a drink with him. He convinced the devil further to pay for the bill by turning himself into a coin. Later, Jack trapped the devil in the coin by putting a silver cross. He allowed the devil to get freed only on the condition that the devil would neither take any revenge nor claim his soul. Later, the devil was once more called by Jack to climb a tree to pick some fruit. Jack fooled the devil again by trapping him in the trunk by carving a cross. He let the devil loose again on the same promise. Eventually, when Stinky Jack died, he was not allowed either in heaven or in hell. The devil warded him off keeping his word by providing a lump of burning coal to find his own way into the world. Ever since then the soul of Jack is said to be roaming in the countryside.
So, if you are wondering where the jack o’lantern tradition from then this is the story related to it. Later on, kids in Ireland started off this tradition of Oogie boogie pumpkin carving as a trick to frighten people like Stinky Jack. At the end of the 19th century, the jack o’lantern trick became a seasonal decoration in Ireland during Halloween. But there lies another reason for incorporating the folktales of Stinky Jack during Halloween. Halloween, which is a Celtic festival, revolves around the idea that during the time of Samhain, souls who have died returned to visit their homeland. This is how the tradition of using scary jack o lantern faces during Halloween started off in the United States with the coming of the Irish immigrants.
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Relevance Of Pumpkin In Halloween
Knowing the fact that Jack o lantern faces is a carved pumpkin that is closely associated with Halloween day, it’s really important to understand its relevance and How to cut a pumpkin for Halloween. You can follow some easy steps to cut your pumpkins this Halloween.
- The first step is to wash the pumpkins in warm or soapy water to avoid the spread of mould.
- Next, you should cut the pumpkin from the bottom instead of the top portion to retain the moisture for a longer time. This step is followed by the removal of all the seeds and strings by scraping the inside of the pumpkin in a spiral motion.
- Make sure you carve the delicate designs with the utmost care without breaking the pumpkin. You can apply Vaseline at the edges of the pumpkin to preserve it for a longer period.
Jack O Lantern Faces: How Long Does A Carved Pumpkin Last?
It is usually seen that carved pumpkins last for three to five days although some even last a bit longer for about 2 weeks. Various factors such as the weather condition and sunlight determine the rate of decomposition of the pumpkins.
