Which Folktale Inspired The Halloween Jackolantern?
The origin of the jack-o’-lantern is rooted in a centuries-old Irish folktale. The tale tells of a man named Stingy Jack who tricked the devil multiple times and, in turn, was cursed to roam the earth for eternity with only a burning coal to light his way. In the tale, the devil put the coal in a carved-out turnip and, thus, the jack-o’-lantern was born. The original jack-o’-lanterns were carved from turnips and potatoes, and were used to ward off evil spirits and keep Stingy Jack away....