The spooky origins of all things Halloween (16 GIFs)

In: Entertainment, Facts, Halloween, Holidays

Oct 9, 2023

GIF

Carving Jack-O’-Lanterns

Jack-O’-Lanterns originated in Ireland using turnips instead of pumpkins and are based on a legend about a man named Stingy Jack who repeatedly trapped the devil and only let him go on the condition that Jack would never go to hell. Unfortunately for Jack, Heaven didn’t want him either so his ghost was condemned to wander the Earth for eternity. He was given a lump of coal in a carved-out turnip to light his way so locals started carving scary faces onto gourds to scare off evil spirits.