Why Does the Pumpkin Represent Halloween?
The pumpkin stands out as the enduring symbol of Halloween. When decorating for the holiday, most people turn to the pumpkin first. A look at the origins of Halloween can help explain why the pumpkin is such an integral part. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
-
Celtic Tradition
-
The Celtic year was divided into four major holidays and one of that celebrated the advent of winter. This day corresponds to Nov. 1 on the modern calendar, and it also marked the time when crops were harvested and stored for the winter. The holiday, called Samhain, also was the time when people believed that ghosts of the dead were able to mingle with the living. People made offerings of food to honor the dead and help those journeying to the underworld.
Christian Adoption
-
When Roman armies took over Celtic territory in Ireland, England and Scotland, they blended their Christian beliefs with Celtic traditions in an effort to convert Celtic people to Christianity. Samhain gradually was replaced with All Saints Day or Hallowmas, but people were reluctant to part with the belief that ghosts were able to mingle with the living. Thus, people continued to celebrate All Hallows Eve the day before All Saints Day, on Oct. 31.
-
Stingy Jack
-
An Irish myth surrounding a man named Stingy Jack brought about the rise of pumpkins on Halloween. Stingy Jack, as the legend goes, tricked the devil twice. Upon his death, Stingy Jack was refused entrance into heaven and hell. But the devil gave him a burning ember from hell to light his way back in the land of the living. Jack placed the ember in a hallowed-out turnip, then roamed Earth without a permanent resting place.
Irish Tradition
-
On All Hallow's Eve, the Irish hollowed out turnips, rutabagas, gourds, potatoes and beets. They placed a light in them to ward off evil spirits and keep Stingy Jack away. When Irish immigrants came to America, they brought the tradition with them. When they discovered pumpkins in the new land, they found they were easier to carve out. Thus, pumpkins became the jack-o'-lanterns and the tradition became widespread and associated with Halloween.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images
