Halloween has now arrived and windows, balconies and gardens are already adorned with the pumpkins of the season, carved to give shape to the scariest expressions. Bright eyes and disturbing smiles emerge from the homes of those who have chosen to celebrate this anniversary according to tradition.
The custom of carving a pumpkin for Halloween night has in fact very ancient origins that have their roots in the Celtic and Irish culture of the 17th century. During the eve of Samhain, the Celtic New Year, the Celtic populations used to carve potatoes, turnips and other vegetables, creating frightening faces that ward off evil spirits.
Carving pumpkins has been part of Irish culture since the seventeenth century. We all know more or less the character of Jack o’ Lantern. Its story comes from the Irish myth of Stingy Jack, the one who deceived the devil.
According to legend, Stingy Jack was a miserly, rather ruthless man. No longer finding any enjoyment in tormenting his neighbors Jack decided to annoy the devil himself. Twice Stingy Jack managed to deceive the devil on the verge of death, convincing him not to claim his soul.
When Jack died, the gates of heaven were barred to him because a spirit like his would not have been able to set foot in the heavenly vaults. The devil, mocked by that man, chose to keep his promise and did not claim Stingy Jack’s soul in the kingdom of hell.
The only thing the devil gave Jack was a burning coal to shed light on his dark path. Jack inserted it into a hollowed-out turnip and wandered the Earth with it ever since. In the 17th century the Irish would carve pumpkins and turnips to scare away the wandering soul of “Jack of the Lantern” or Jack o’ lantern as he is more commonly known.
Around the 18th century, with the great emigration from Ireland, the legend of Jack o’ Lantern arrived in the United States. So it was that since then people have dedicated themselves to carving pumpkins on Halloween night and All Saints’ Day.
Halloween today
Halloween has now become a global holiday, with different celebration variations around the world. In the United States, carving a pumpkin has become a truly collective ritual, with carving competitions attracting thousands of participants. The pumpkin, symbol of autumn, has also found space in the kitchen, where it is the protagonist in numerous typical dishes such as the famous pumpkin pie and in drinks such as the popular “pumpkin spice latte”.
Interestingly, the tradition of carving pumpkins is not just limited to the United States and Ireland. In Japan, Halloween has become an occasion for large parades and themed parties, where pumpkins are carved into artistic and not necessarily scary shapes. In Mexico, the tradition has been enriched by the influence of American culture, mixing with the “Día de los Muertos”, the celebration of the dead, creating a fascinating meeting of traditions. Even in Europe, in countries such as the United Kingdom, the practice of carving pumpkins has caught on, although turnips and potatoes were originally used. Halloween has thus become a holiday that unites different cultures, celebrating mystery, tradition and, above all, the scary side of life.
