Hallowe'en is often characterised by one single image - The Pumpkin. But where does this scary image originate? The tradition of the lighting of the Hallowe'en lantern stems from the Emerald Isle.

Fires and fire play an important part in Hallowe'en celebrations, the most spectacular of which are the fireworks displays which occur in towns and cities across the country. But it is also very common to see children carry Lanterns made from turnips and pumpkins.

This originates from the tradition of the Jack O'Lantern. On Hallowe'en night, when the spirits were walking across the earth, people felt that their homes would need to be protected from bad tidings. As the spooks roamed the streets, protection would be placed on the front doors of their homes.

Menacing face

A turnip would be hollowed out, a menacing face would be cut into the front, and a lid placed on the top. A lit candle would be placed inside, which shone through the face. It was hoped this would be enough to fend off any unwanted visitors.

But who was the mythical Jack'O Lantern? Legend has it that many years ago, a rogue called Jack roamed the highways and byways, drinking alcohol and cheating people out of money. Over a game of cards one night, Jack realised his funds were low, so he summoned up the devil to try and get some more money.

Silver coin

The devil readily agreed but made Jack promise to give him his soul. Jack agreed and the devil immediately turned himself into a bright, silver coin. Jack, realising what had happened, quick as a flash, dropped the coin into his pocket, which also contained a holy cross. The cross disabled the devil and Jack made him promise never to try and take his soul. To escape, the devil agreed and Jack let him go.

When he eventually died, Jack was not admitted to heaven because of his lifetime of drunkenness and deceit. Instead, he tried to gain entrance to hell, but the devil had promised never to take his soul and he told him to go back where he came from. The road back to the earth was dark and dank and Jack asked the devil to light the way.

Judgement day

Instead, the Devil tossed him a hot coal, straight from the fires of hell, and Jack placed it inside a turnip, which he had been eating on his way. Ever since, Jack has been said to wander the hills and valleys of Ireland until judgement day. He is a doomed soul.

The term Jack'O Lantern has entered everyday use and is sometimes used as a nick-name for watchmen or men carrying lanterns. The people of Ireland kept the tradition alive every Hallowe'en by placing candles inside hollowed out turnips. When many of them travelled to America, with the mass emigration of the 1800's, they found that turnips were not so available.

Instead, they used the more plentiful pumpkin, which did the trick just as well. In recent years in Ireland, it's the turnip which has been used less, as imports of pumpkins have become the norm. Yet another example of US culture spreading around the world.