Thursday, October 29, 2009

PFF - Halloween Jack-O'-Lanterns



This is a modern Halloween postcard from my collection. I used to buy modern holiday greeting postcards. I haven't seen any for quite a while, however, except for an occasional Christmas postcard.

Jack-o'-lanterns originally were an Irish tradition. The name came from a tale about a man named Jack who played tricks on the devil. When Jack died, the devil barred him from hell but gave him a burning coal from hell to light his way. Jack made a lantern by placing this coal in a large carved turnip. In Ireland Jack-'o-lanterns were made from turnips or potatoes. Irish immigrants in the United States began using pumpkins for jack-o'-lanterns, and the Irish custom was adopted by other Americans.




14 comments:

  1. Cute one! It seems everybody has great Halloween post today.

    I might find one for tomorrow.

    My Bangkok Through My Eyes!
    You got a Posty: I want to give 15 postcards :)

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  2. Something else I didn't know about pumpkins - and specifically - Jack-O-Lanterns!

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  3. I really didn't know about the origins of the Jack-o-Lantern, so I'm glad to know now. Thanks!

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  4. To be honest halloween is not big in the Netherlands, but I definitely liked the film Halloween, when I first saw it. And we do love pumpkin soup.

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  5. Every time I tell people I used to "help" my grandmother carve turnips for Halloween as a child in Ireland, people look at me in disbelief. Thank you for confirming the custom! :)

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  6. Thanks postcardy, I didn't know that! Great halloween card and video! Happy PFF! :) Boo!

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  7. great card! i've also been looking for halloween cards but here in italy i've found nothing at all...it's a very low key event over here! have fun!

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  8. That turnip carving was probably tough going compared to pumpkin carving. To hollow the thing out to burn a candle in it was definitely not for amateurs!

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  9. Wonderful card and thanks for the info about Jack!

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  10. How cool is THAT! And a happy trickern'treater holiday to you! Happy PFF!

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  11. Your postcard is just great! I have heard that story also. Very fun to find the history involved in our traditions.

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  12. Hope to celebrate Halloween one day :)

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