Jack o Lantern– an Introduction
Jack o Lantern, also spelled sometimes as jack-o’-lantern or Jack O’Lantern, is basically a carved pumpkin associated with the festival of Halloween. It is named after the famous ignis fatuus – the eccentric light that sparks over peat bogs. Jack o Lantern is made by cutting off the top of the pumpkin and then taking the flesh out. Usually a monstrous face is carved on the outer surface of the pumpkin. The lid also gets replaced. A light is inserted inside the pumpkin to illuminate the effect. Jack o Lantern is widely used to decorate the house during the holiday of Halloween. In fact, it can also be described as one of the most prominent features of Halloween decorations.
Origins
According to an Irish tale, once upon a time there was a mischievous man named Jack, who loved to play tricks on people. One day, he tricked Satan to climb up to a tree. He then carved the image of Holy Cross in the tree trunk, which trapped the Devil up there. He bargained with Devil and tried to make Devil a promise not to tempt him again, in lieu of Devil’s release. Later, when Jack died, he wasn’t allowed in the Heaven for his evil ways, nor he could find a place in the Hell as he had tricked the Devil. The Devil gave him burning coal, which he put inside a hollowed-out turnip and walked through the freezing blackness.
Soon, he became known as ‘Jack of the Lantern’ or Jack o Lantern.
Carving the Jack o Lantern
In order to prepare Jack o Lantern, a pumpkin is cut out to give it a specific shape, often like a face. Various tools are used in this regard like simple knives, spoons and also some specialized instruments. You can find the tools in the holiday section of a grocery store. You can also use printed stencils, which will guide through the entire process of carving out the Jack o Lantern.
Once you are through with the carving, you need to arrange for a light source. People prefer to place a candle or electric light inside the pumpkin. After putting the light inside, also put back the top of the pumpkin into its place. The light will illuminate the design from the inside and will give it a wonderful look.
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