Since it's October, you might want to learn more about the history of using pumpkins on Halloween. Especially since it has been done for a long time and there is a long history behind it that is very interesting to know.

Learn the Origin History of Using Pumpkins on Halloween

  1. History

    Halloween originated from Samhain a Celtic festival where people will create bonfires then wear costumes so they can ward off the roaming ghosts. The Celts would celebrate New Year on November 1st. Thus the Celts believe on October 31st the ghost will return to the earth and cause havoc by destroying crops which will end the harvest time and begin the winter. But after the 43 AD Romans invasion then the Celtic traditions were infused with Christianity. Pope Gregory III decide November 1st as a day to honor martyrs and saints. Then on 1000 AD November 2nd was used as a holiday where they adopted a lot of Samhain symbols.

  2. Naming

    The history of using pumpkins on Halloween or All Hallowmas or All hallows actually originated from Middle English language Allholowmesse which means All Saints’ Day. The day before Samhain which is October 31st then called as All Hallows Eve which eventually transformed into Halloween. Along the way Halloween has left all of their Christian and Pagan origins as it becomes a secular holiday especially in North America.

  3. Crafting pumpkin

    In order to distract the wandering ghosts so they would not come to farms and homes the Celts then will use turnips and carved faces on it then put candles inside. Then they will put the turnip lanterns on the roadways which will alert the ghosts that pass the area. The history of using pumpkins on Halloween changed when this tradition was brought across the Atlantic to North America then they will carve pumpkins instead of turnips. The reason is because pumpkins are a plant native in the region. Then in the 1920s farmers started to cultivate better pumpkins that can be used for carving. In particular in the 1960s John Howden cultivated carving pumpkins called Howden pumpkins. This particular pumpkin has shallow ribs, thin flesh and tick stems which makes it suitable for carving. In fact this pumpkin is still used until now in America.

  4. Jack-o’-lanterns

    The Jack-o’-lanterns originate from Irish folklore where Jack traps Satan which then makes a deal with him for his release. Satan agrees that he will not take his soul. However, Jack is too sinful so heaven would not accept him either. This causes Jack’s soul to stay between hell and heaven and have to wander on the earth forever. Then Jack asked Satan to give him something to light the way. Thus Satan gives him a flame that cannot go out. Then Jack carved a turnip then put the ember inside. That is how he becomes the Jack-o’-lanterns. Since Jack uses the turnip lantern in guiding his own soul this makes the Celts believe that turnip lantern can guide ghosts.

As you can see, the history of using pumpkins on Halloween originates from thousands of years ago. It starts from turnip and turns into pumpkin when the tradition arrives in North America.