History of Halloween Traditions

By: Patrick Doran  

There's a special part of Halloween that brings the family together, just like decorating the Christmas tree. This special event is pumpkin carving. The history of pumpkin carving originated in Ireland. Within the country, the Gaelics and Celtics carved rooted plants like turnips in order to ward off evil spirits. The Gaelics are also where we get trick or treating from. It started from a Gaelic tradition called Samhain where people would go from house to house, asking for food and drinks. 

The weather in Ireland is mostly cloudy, making the daylight pretty dim throughout each day of the week. In the 17th century, the Irish would carve potatoes, turnips, and other rooted vegetables and put coals or candles in them to make a lantern. The reason the vegetables were called jack o'lanterns is because when pumpkins and the plants decompose, they let off methane gas called Marsh gas. During the 17th century when they decomposed, the Irish called the gas Stingy Jack. This is where we get the name “Jack” in jack o lantern from. The phrase, “o lantern" comes from when the Irish used vegetables to create candles for light during pre-industrialized Ireland. Put the two together you have a jack o’ lantern. 

Just like it did back in the day, today carving pumpkins and trick or treating brings people together during the holiday season.