As we get closer to Halloween, people have started decorating their homes with fall scents, autumn wreaths, and carved pumpkins. While fall time looks different across the country with the climate changes (some days feel like summer and other days are rainy), one thing is sure: the majority of people are excited about pumpkin spice flavored foods, drinks, and Halloween! For many, carved pumpkins and pumpkin decor are a staple to bring in the autumn and Halloween spirit, but did you know we did not always carve pumpkins for Halloween?
During the Irish migration wave in the 1880s, many Irish soon discovered that it was easier to carve ghoul images on pumpkins than on turnips and potatoes. So Irish immigrants brought the tradition to America, home of the pumpkin, and it became a tradition for festivals and a way to spend time with our families.
In ancient Ireland, pumpkins did not exist because they were not native to the land, which led the Celtic people to carve spiritual images on potatoes and turnips. The idea was that carving certain embodiments would ward off evil spirits and the turnips also served as lanterns to light the way home.
The Jack O'Lanterns comes from the legend of a man named Stingy Jack, an alcoholic, who tricked the Devil into paying for his bar tab by asking him to turn into a silver coin. The Devil agreed he would help Jack as long as he could turn back into his former self. Still, once the Devil did so, Jack decided to keep the coin, put it into his pocket next to a silver cross, and prevented the Devil from changing back. For years to come, Jack continued to play tricks on the Devil, and as a punishment, neither God nor the Devil would accept him in heaven or hell. Jack would then spend the rest of his life trying to find his way out of hell through a lanterned turnip - and Jack-o-Lantern was born.
Happy Halloween!
Get in the Holiday spirit with Step Up and carve a pumpkin!
You can download the stencils from our Dropbox. Don't forget to post your pumpkin with the hashtag #StepUpxHalloween and tag us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
TWO DOWNLOADABLE DESIGNS (click here)
References:
History.com
How do you plan to celebrate this Halloween? Let us know in the comments below.
