The Story of Jack O'Lantern
Who was that Jack guy? And what's with all those Halloween lanterns? The story of
the Jack-O-Lantern hails from Irish folklore. Jack was a crafty Irishman who on one
fateful day tricked Satan into climbing a very tall tree. When Satan reached the highest
branch, Jack carved a large cross in the trunk making it impossible for Satan to climb
down. In exchange for help getting out of the tree, Satan promised never to tempt
Jack with evil again. Jack lived a long and happy life, but when he died he was turned
away from Heaven on account of his trickery and turned away from Hell on account of
his previous dealings with Satan. He had no where to turn and was faced with the grim
reality of wandering the underworld alone in the darkness. When he appealed to the
devil for help, the devil presented him with a burning ember to light his way. Jack took
the ember and placed it inside a hollowed out turnip to keep it burning as long as
possible. Many countries use a pumpkin rather than a turnip and display the glowing
pumpkin to help Halloween revelers (and Jack!) through the deep, dark night!
Halloween or candy......we can't decide which one we like more! And Maybe that's all
Jack needed- some sweet treats to keep him on the straight and narrow.
the Jack-O-Lantern hails from Irish folklore. Jack was a crafty Irishman who on one
fateful day tricked Satan into climbing a very tall tree. When Satan reached the highest
branch, Jack carved a large cross in the trunk making it impossible for Satan to climb
down. In exchange for help getting out of the tree, Satan promised never to tempt
Jack with evil again. Jack lived a long and happy life, but when he died he was turned
away from Heaven on account of his trickery and turned away from Hell on account of
his previous dealings with Satan. He had no where to turn and was faced with the grim
reality of wandering the underworld alone in the darkness. When he appealed to the
devil for help, the devil presented him with a burning ember to light his way. Jack took
the ember and placed it inside a hollowed out turnip to keep it burning as long as
possible. Many countries use a pumpkin rather than a turnip and display the glowing
pumpkin to help Halloween revelers (and Jack!) through the deep, dark night!
Halloween or candy......we can't decide which one we like more! And Maybe that's all
Jack needed- some sweet treats to keep him on the straight and narrow.
