Why Pumpkins?

Some of the greatest halloween memories come from carving pumpkins for scary season, but have you ever wondered why halloween is represented by jack-o’-lanterns? The answer may be more than what meets the eye.

It began with the Irish myth of Stringy Jack. When Stringy Jack died he was restricted from going into heaven and also had a deal with the devil to never force him into hell. He was left to wander through the night with only a coal inside of a carved turnip to light his way. Because of this, the Irish also called him “Jack of the Lantern” which later turned into “jack-o’-lantern”. This is why the Irish carved threatening faces into pumpkins, to frighten away evil wandering spirits like Stringy Jack. 

This piece of Irish folklore eventually found its way into Halloween traditions because Halloween, also known as “All Hallows Eve,” was originally a time for spirits to visit the mortal world and jack-o’-lanterns fit perfectly with the idea! While we enjoy the time that the mortal and spirit worlds collide, the jack-o’-lanterns protect us from the evil wandering souls.

Sites:

Grannan, Cydney. “Why Do We Carve Pumpkins at Halloween?” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2019, www.britannica.com/story/why-do-we-carve-pumpkins-at-halloween.

joycollins. “How Pumpkins Became Synonymous with Halloween.” Wine and Canvas – Indianapolis, 18 Oct. 2023, wineandcanvas.com/indianapolis/halloween/how-pumpkins-became-synonymous-with-halloween/?srsltid=AfmBOoqtZXuZgAGxqPeKLYMs41AOCLrrmROIlMdHJcxHZAxn2M0GWI0f. Accessed 25 Sept. 2025.