I did some research on Jack-O-Laterns and was surprised by all the tradition and folklore concerning these creative carvings.
This one is a little fountain that serves fruit punch.
From Wickipedia
TRADITION
.[4] It was not until 1837 that jack-o'-lantern appeared as a term for a carved vegetable lantern,[5] and the carved pumpkin lantern association with Halloween is recorded in 1866.[6]
In the United States, the carved pumpkin was first associated with the harvest season in general, long before it became an emblem of Halloween.[7] In 1900, an article on Thanksgiving entertaining recommended a lit jack-o'-lantern as part of the festivities.[7] The poet John Greenleaf Whittier, who was born in Massachusetts in 1807, wrote "The Pumpkin" (1850):[8]| “ | Oh!—fruit loved of boyhood!—the old days recalling, When wood-grapes were purpling and brown nuts were falling! When wild, ugly faces we carved in its skin, Glaring out through the dark with a candle within! | ” |
A character named Stingy Jack was associated with the Jack-o-lantern in folklore. He is quite the interesting guy, there is lots of reading on this guy if you are interested. Hence Jack became connected to the pumpkin carved with candles.
I realize that Halloween is 6 weeks away, but I wanted to feature these cute Jack-O-Lanterns.
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Ann
Always time for pumpkins, that's my motto! Really cute jacks here. xo
ReplyDeletethese are cute and creative, too. the wrinkled Jack is my favorite.:p
ReplyDeleteHi Ann, thank you for your interesting and colourful post. Traditions and observing them make life worth living!
ReplyDeleteI w ish you a great week.
Wil, ABC Team.
Love all the different pumpkins.
ReplyDeleteThe poem is so perfect for the season.
The 1st one is very intelligent; you can tell from the specs.
ReplyDeleteROG, ABC Wednesday team
Those jack-o-lanterns are fantastic! I love the one with the acne! haha I would have never thought to do research on that, so thank you!
ReplyDeleteLOL! Great post and I just love those creative jack-o-lanterns...can't believe Halloween is just around the corner.
ReplyDeleteThose are all so creative and fun. Interesting information too. Carver, ABC Wed. Team
ReplyDeleteGreat entry!
ReplyDeleteSome of these jack-o-lanterns are very funny!
Thanks for sharing:o)
***
Hope you are having a nice week****
Time surely flies, Ann. It's Halloween and then Thanksgiving soon. Oh, dear.
ReplyDeleteThey are all cute :)
ReplyDeleteI love fountain! What a great idea.
Fun and fascinating. I guess it's time to get out the fall decorations.
ReplyDeleteThe school pumpkins are very clever.
Nice pumpkin carving here. I don't think we ever had pumpkins when I was growing up in England -- at least I don't remember them. But then a lot of things got lost in the war and the years afterwards.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBrought back memories of jack o lantern carving with my son when he was little. It is really interesting to see how this odd tradition came to be.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting. I guess I thought that they were earlier for some reason. Loved the pictures.
ReplyDeleteThe Van Noy was an event place and they had tea for 3 Wednesdays in August only. I'm not sure that they do teas on a regular basis.
suche fascinating designs
ReplyDeleteCalling by from ABC Wednesday, what Halloween fun albeit a little early. :)
ReplyDeleteThe gourd with the bad acne gave me goose bumps☺ Cute post.
ReplyDeleteLaurie @ Pride in Photos
Halloween is a fun and interesting blend of folklore and culture. It's really quite a multicultural holiday! Love your jack-o-lanterns and the poem.
ReplyDeleteGreat choice for J, some lovely and imaginative carving and colouring.
ReplyDeleteSome great carving and inventive decoration. We used to use turnips as a child, thank goodness the pumpkin became available in the UK, a much easier task.
ReplyDeleteVery cool information, Ann...and quite apt, as Halloween candy is being put out on the store shelves already! I do like the wrinkly faced gourds...:)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is the one with eyeglasses.
ReplyDeleteJuice in Jars
Your comment always bring joy to me, so leave me one when you can.
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team
Carving jack-o-lanterns was always one of my favorite fall activities. :D
ReplyDeleteGreat post Ann. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteexcellent - I love it!
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet post! I like to learn about things so this was really neat! These pumpkins are so unique!
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet post! I like to learn about things so this was really neat! These pumpkins are so unique!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you visited my blog & left a comment! The pumpkins are awesome, what creativity!
ReplyDeleteSmiles,
Carol
What creative pumpkins! Cute post!
ReplyDeleteWow, those are so creative. I love them. Great research you did, too.
ReplyDeleteI love jack o lanterns! I had never heard of the Stingy Jack tale until last week and I've read it on two different blogs! I am getting my pumpkins this week but won't carve them until the week of Halloween!
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Linda