Halloween, and the three legends of Jack-o'-lantern

There are many legends about the night of Halloween and there are many traditions on the occasion of this festival, first of all to carve pumpkins and place inside a lantern.

Many people associate this tradition to the legend (or legends) Jack-o'-lantern, a lazy but shrewd farmer always ready to annoy people.

First Legend: Legend has it that Jack dared to challenge the devil, who, terrified, was forced to take refuge in a tree. In order to prevent the devil descended, the sly Jack carved a cross on the trunk. Only after a long bickering the two came to a compromise: in exchange for freedom, the devil would have to save Jack from eternal damnation.

During his life Jack committed many sins, but when he died, he did not go to Heaven or Hell and he was obliged to to remain on earth. He took a pumpkin, inserted a candle and made a lantern. He began from that moment to wander relentlessly in search of a resting place on earth.

Halloween is just the day in which Jack is looking for a refuge. The inhabitants of each country are thus obliged to hang a lantern outside the door to indicate the unfortunate soul that their home is no place for him. According to other versions Jack had a turnip instead of a pumpkin, was then the popular tradition to pass down the custom of pumpkins.

Second Legend: Another myth says that Jack was a person who drank a lot. One day he met the devil at the bar, which unexpectedly turned into a coin, he took it and died shortly after. He went to heaven, but was ousted, went to hell and was expelled from there too for taking the coin. He then took a turnip, carved eyes and mouth on it and placed inside some burning coals. So he went out alone lighting up the road.

Third Legend: Legend has it that the last Jack, rejected from heaven, presented himself to hell, where he was "cordially" banished by the devil, who, reminding him of their pact, was only too happy to let him wander as a tormented soul. Jack objected that it was cold and dark, so the devil threw a firebrand (eternal, as coming from hell) that Jack positioned inside of a pumpkin that he had with him.

Don’t forget our Dark Dinner, may be Jack will come to visit us!