Jack O' Lantern: True or Not?

hauntmaster · Post by **hauntmaster** » Thu May 24, 2007 2:50 pm

An Irish myth tells of a man named Stingy Jack, who one day invited the Devil to have a drink. He convinced the Devil to change into six pence in order to pay for the drink, but instead of paying for the drink he pocketed the sixpence beside a silver cross which prevented the Devil from changing back. Jack made a deal with the Devil before letting him free. For one year the Devil could not harass Jack. Next Halloween, the Devil met up with Jack again, and Jack made another deal with him to be left alone. Jack died within the year and was turned back from the Gates of Heaven. He went to the Gates of Hell and the Devil told him to go away, as Jack had made promise not to claim his soul. Jack didn't want to leave because it was dark and he couldn't find his way. The Devil tossed Jack a glowing coal and Jack put it inside a turnip, and ever since with this jack o' lantern, Jack has been roaming the faces of this earth.

Scottish children hollow out and carve large turnips and put candles in them. Irish children use turnips or potatoes. In parts of England they use large beets. When the Scottish and the Irish came to USA they found pumpkins, which of course make a perfect jack o' lantern. It is also said that a jack o' lantern protected homes from the evil spirits lurking about on Halloween.

What do you think of this story? Do you have an idea to share this story with us?

Nostalgiascape · Post by **Nostalgiascape** » Thu May 24, 2007 3:43 pm

That's actually a good an accurate account of the myth. I enjoy it myself.

JACKRYAN592 · Post by **JACKRYAN592** » Thu May 24, 2007 11:39 pm

I BELIEVE IT IS TRUE TO THE LEGEND.

hauntmaster · Post by **hauntmaster** » Thu May 24, 2007 11:41 pm

How do you believe if it was true to the legend? Can you tell me how?

JACKRYAN592 wrote:I BELIEVE IT IS TRUE TO THE LEGEND.

tomanderson · Post by **tomanderson** » Fri May 25, 2007 2:18 am

Actually, yes, that sounds about accurate to what I have read. It is true about the turnips eventually getting replaced by pumpkins, because, well, the pumpkins were bigger and worked better...more room inside for a candle to burn. Pretty cool stuff!

One Eye'd Jack · Post by **One Eye'd Jack** » Fri May 25, 2007 3:34 am

I've heard all that before and I too think it's a wonderful tale...... but, 'c'mon.... does anyone want to fill me in on just how one really goes about hollowing out a turnip or a potato?

I guess I could see something like a squash and the EVERenduring pumpkin....... but, c'mon........ a POTATO?

hauntmaster · Post by **hauntmaster** » Fri May 25, 2007 7:38 pm

OEJ,

Yes, actually, long time ago, in Ireland, most people do carve potatoes as jo'l! Hee hee... I really don't know how they did carving potatoes because in Ireland, they always grow potatoes, big and large potatoes! I have no idea how they carve potatoes... Very interesting!! So, at this present time, we always do carve the large pumpkins!

Haunted Horseman · Post by **Haunted Horseman** » Fri May 25, 2007 10:36 pm

Great Story. I Loved it.

fangsofblood · Post by **fangsofblood** » Fri May 25, 2007 11:36 pm

Great story about JackOLantern! Well, it's hard to believe if it is accurate or just an hoax! You figure yourself!

hauntmaster · Post by **hauntmaster** » Fri May 25, 2007 11:48 pm

I don't happen to think this JOL story is 100% accurate because this is part of myth tale, you know? It's somewhat, like, little completely crappy! Hee hee...

William · Post by **William** » Sat May 26, 2007 2:56 pm

Well people i only say this every story has a piece of truth

, i belive in it

tomanderson · Post by **tomanderson** » Sat May 26, 2007 6:36 pm

In Wilhelmina Harper's collection of spooky stories, "Ghosts and Goblins," there is a story written in the early 1900's, thereabouts, and the story is called "Thomson's Halloween," about the adventures of a witch's cat on Halloween night. It's a good story, and there is a scene featuring a fellow carrying a carved turnip jack o'lantern.

I am not really surprised that we switched over to pumpkins, because pumpkins are bigger and you can put holes in them in different places, for better air flow to help the candle burn. I imagine a turnip, even a big one, would only cause the Halloween reveler problems!