From the category archives:

Pumpkin Fun

About Jack O’Lanterns

Pumpkins are commonly carved into decorative lanterns called jack-o’-lanterns for the Halloween season in North America. Throughout Britain and Ireland, there is a long tradition of carving lanterns from vegetables, particularly the turnip, mangelwurzel, or swede.[31] Not until 1837, however, does jack-o’-lantern appear as a term for a carved vegetable lantern,[32] and the carved lantern does not become associated specifically with Halloween until 1866.[33] Significantly, both occurred not in Britain or Ireland—but in North America. Historian David J. Skal writes,
Although every modern chronicle of the holiday repeats the claim that vegetable lanterns were a time-honored component of Halloween celebrations in the British Isles, none gives any primary documentation. In fact, none of the major nineteenth-century chronicles of British holidays and folk customs make any mention whatsoever of carved lanterns in connection with Halloween. Neither do any of the standard works of the early twentieth century.[34]
In the United States, the carved pumpkin was first associated with the harvest season in general, long before it became an emblem of Halloween.[35]

“Pumpkins are commonly carved into decorative lanterns called jack-o’-lanterns for the Halloween season in North America. Throughout Britain and Ireland, there is a long tradition of carving lanterns from vegetables, particularly the turnip, mangelwurzel, or swede.

Not until 1837, however, does jack-o’-lantern appear as a term for a carved vegetable lantern,[32] and the carved lantern does not become associated specifically with Halloween until 1866.  Significantly, both occurred not in Britain or Ireland—but in North America.

Although every modern chronicle of the holiday repeats the claim that vegetable lanterns were a time-honored component of Halloween celebrations in the British Isles, none gives any primary documentation. In fact, none of the major nineteenth-century chronicles of British holidays and folk customs make any mention whatsoever of carved lanterns in connection with Halloween. Neither do any of the standard works of the early twentieth century.

In the United States, the carved pumpkin was first associated with the harvest season in general, long before it became an emblem of Halloween.”

Source: Wikipedia.com

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Pumpkin Facts

September 15, 2009

According to the University of Illinois Extension website: Pumpins & More: The top pumpkin production states are Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and California. Pumpkins contain potassium and Vitamin A. Pumpkins are used for feed for animals. Pumpkin flowers are edible. Pumpkins originated in Central America. Pumpkins were once recommended for removing freckles and curing snake bites. [...]

Read the full article →