The Story of the Jack-O'Lantern*
The "Jack-O'-Lantern" originated with Irish folklore. It is said
it began with an Irishman named Jack, who was a stingy drunkard. Jack had
the misfortune to run into the Devil in a pub. Jack had too much to drink
and was about to fall into the Devil's hands, but managed to trick the
Devil by offering his soul in exchange for one last drink.
The Devil turned himself
into a sixpence to pay the bartender, but Jack quickly placed him in his
pocket. Because Jack had a silver cross in his pocket, the Devil could not
change himself back. Jack would not let the Devil go until he promised not
to claim his soul for ten years.
The Devil agreed and ten
years later Jack came across the Devil while walking on a country road. The
Devil wanted to collect, but Jack, thinking quickly, said "I'll go,
but before I go, will you get me an apple from that tree?"
The Devil, thinking he had
nothing to lose, jumped on Jack's shoulders to obtain the apple. Jack
pulled out his knife and quickly carved a cross in the trunk of the tree.
This left the Devil in the air, unable to obtain Jack or his soul. Jack
made him promise to never again ask for his soul. Seeing no way out, the
Devil agreed.
When Jack finally died years
later, he was not admitted to Heaven, because of his life of drinking and
being tightfisted and deceitful. When he went to apply for entrance to
Hell, the Devil had to turn him away because he agreed never to take Jack's
soul.
"But where can I
go?" asked Jack.
"Back where you came
from!" replied the Devil.
The way back was windy and
dark. Jack pleaded with the Devil to at least provide him a light to find
his way. The Devil, as a final gesture, threw a live coal at Jack straight
from the fire of Hell. To light his way and to keep it from blowing out in
the wind, Jack put it in a carved out turnip.
Ever since, Jack has been
doomed to wander the earth until he can find a final resting place.
No one
knows for certain if Jack is still roaming the earth ...
*
Article courtesy of George Treanor, The Irish Heritage Group
Page last updated: 5
Oct 2008
Music by CelticGhost
Jackolantern by Emma
Boo!
Myths & Magic logo by Míchealín
Daugherty.
Copyright © 2008 Ireland's OWN.
All Rights Reserved.
