| Without a doubt the
most recognizable symbol of Halloween is a pumpkin carved into a jack-o-lantern.
To understand the origins of how pumpkin carving began and what it
really means we must first take a look at the holiday itself. How
long has Halloween been around? Have there always been pumpkins carved?
Here are some answers!
For most of the general population it is known as Halloween and
is a night for dressing up, telling ghost stories, having spooky
parties, trick-or-treating and pumpkin carving. What most people
don't know is that Halloween is actually based on an ancient Celtic
holiday known as Samhain (pronounced "sow wan"), which
means "summer's end".
It was the end of the Celtic year, starting at sundown on October
31st and going through to sundown November 1st. It was a night to
honor loved ones that had passed on since the veil between their
realm and ours is at it's thinnest on that night.
Celebrated for centuries by the Celts of old, Witches and many
other nature based religions, it is the most magical night of the
year. It is the Witches' New Year, and the Last Harvest. Although
the religious significance of it has passed for the general public,
Halloween is a "magical" night for all!
On this magical night, glowing jack-o-lanterns, carved from turnips
or gourds, were set on porches and in windows to welcome deceased
loved ones, but also to act as protection against malevolent spirits.
Burning lumps of coal were used inside as a source of light, later
to be replaced by candles.
When European settlers, particularly the Irish, arrived in American
they found the native pumpkin to be larger, easier to carve and
seemed the perfect choice for jack-o-lanterns. Halloween didn't
really catch on big in this country until the late 1800's and has
been celebrated in so many ways ever since!
Pumpkins are indigenous to the western hemisphere and were completely
unknown in Europe before the time of Columbus. In 1584, the French
explorer Jacques Cartier reported from the St. Lawrence region that
he had found "gros melons", which was translated into
English as "ponpions," or pumpkins. In fact, pumpkins
have been grown in America for over 5,000 years. Native Americans
called pumpkins "isquotersquash."
Did you know that pumpkins are not a vegetable - they are a fruit!
Pumpkins, like gourds, and other varieties of squash are all members
of the Cucurbitacae family , which also includes cucumbers, gherkins,
and melons.
|
