Why Do We Carve Pumpkins on Halloween? The History of Pumpkin-Carving

One of the most recognizable symbols of Halloween is the jack-o'-lantern, with its crooked smile and brilliant, jagged eyes.

But did you know that behind that face lies a story about ancient traditions and Irish American culture? Why do we carve pumpkins on Halloween?

Take a look below to find the answer!

Why do we carve pumpkins for Halloween?

Why Do We Carve Pumpkins on Halloween?

During the Halloween season, carved pumpkins are lighting up porches and entrances wherever you look.

An entertaining annual tradition that many people look forward to has its origins in a story that dates back hundreds of years about a man by the name of Stingy Jack. 

According to a well-known tale, Jack was a cunning and dishonest soul who often outwitted even the Devil. 

When Jack finally died, neither Heaven nor Hell wanted his soul. The Devil, furious with Jack's ingenuity and with just a lump of burning coal for guidance, despatched him into the darkness. 

Jack started exploring the Earth after putting the coal inside a hollowed-out turnip.

Why do we carve pumpkins at Halloween?

In Ireland, the ghostly figure of Stingy Jack was given the name "Jack of the Lantern," which was eventually shortened to "Jack O'Lantern." 

People in Scotland and Ireland started carving faces into turnips or potatoes, as a sort of homage to Stingy Jack's lantern. The carved vegetables were positioned outside windows and entryways to scare away Stingy Jack and any other "wandering evil spirits."

The tale also reached England, where ghoulish faces were carved into large beets as a kind of ghost-repelling.

When people immigrated to the United States, they brought with them the folktale and the tradition of carving jack-o'-lanterns. Native to North America, pumpkins have become the standard vegetable for carving into jack-o'-lanterns over time.

How to Carve a Pumpkin Halloween?

How to carve a pumpkin for Halloween?

While choosing pumpkins is enjoyable, these orange gourds will reach new heights if you can master the art of pumpkin carving. 

Whether you want to carve your pumpkins by hand or with stencils, knowing how to carve a pumpkin is a must for making an interesting Halloween display.

Adhere to our tutorial to craft an impeccable Jack-o'-lantern.

What You Will Need

Standard sets of tools for carving pumpkins could be sufficient for the task. 

In particular, the short-handled, wedge-shaped pumpkin scoop may be used to scrape and smooth the inner walls after most of the strings and seeds have been removed. 

How to Carve a Halloween Pumpkin

Step 1: Pick Your Pumpkin

You can find a great gourd without going to a pumpkin field. All you have to do is head to your neighborhood farmers market, grocery store, or department store to find a wide variety of pumpkins ready for carving.

Pick a premium pumpkin

Avoid picking pumpkins with surface rot or mushy parts. Even if the pumpkins are unclean, as long as they are strong and have firmly attached stems, you should be OK.

Step 2: Clean & Cut

When it comes time to carve, use a sharp knife to make a hole in the top or bottom of the pumpkin after washing it. If you opt for the top, you should cut a circular hole with a triangle notch. 

Cut your pumpkin

Then start scraping. To remove the pumpkin from its shell, use a large metal scoop or frying spoon. 

This step should be completed in the kitchen sink for a quick and easy cleanup—no more wet newspapers. Remember not to throw the pulp in your waste disposal, though.

Step 3: Outline Your Design

Outline your pumpkin design

Now arrange the design. Consider how the pattern will fit and repeat on the pumpkin. When the time comes to carve your pumpkin, you may either make your own or utilize a template that you can print off or photocopy and adjust to fit your pumpkin.

Tape the template on your pumpkin after that. Pierce the outline of the template every 1/8 to 1/4 inch with an awl, T pin, or needle tool. Take out the template, but keep it nearby for reference.

Step 4: Get Carving

After removing the template, cut along the design using a compact saw or linoleum carving tool. 

Simple shapes should be cut by pushing the pieces out from the inside; cutting them inside might cause tears and splits in the pumpkin.

How to do pumpkin carving for Halloween?

To achieve perfectly round shapes, try using an apple corer or drill bit to get through the pumpkin's rind.

Just remove the orange peel off the Halloween pumpkin's surface with a scraper to reveal an engraved pattern with a noticeable glow. With a bit more intricacy, even simple patterns may look amazing.

When to Carve Pumpkins for Halloween?

Any time in October that falls before Halloween, which occurs on October 31st, is a great time to get your jack-o'-lantern. 

Since fresh pumpkins can be kept for 8 - 12 weeks after harvest, you can pick them up immediately. The clock only begins to run once you cut it.

When to carve a pumpkin for Halloween?

How long before Halloween should I carve pumpkins?

For the best results, pumpkins should be carved no sooner than 3 days before Halloween. A pumpkin carved too early will scare off would-be trick-or-treaters with its decaying teeth. 

After cutting, rinse the interior with a quart of water and a teaspoon of bleach, and then pat dry. You might be able to prevent interior rot and mold by doing this.

How to Preserve a Carved Halloween Pumpkin?

You cannot completely halt the rotting process; it starts as soon as you cut into your pumpkin. Nevertheless, if you apply the following advice, you may extend its shelf life this season:

Tips to preserve carved pumpkin for Halloween

• Cleanse thoroughly: Wash the outside of your pumpkin with soap and water to get rid of dirt and mold spores.

• Dry completely: Ensure that the pumpkin is completely dry after cleaning since moisture can cause deterioration.

• Apply petroleum jelly: After carving, use petroleum jelly inside and on the carved edges to create a layer of barrier that keeps the moisture and firmness of the pumpkin.

• Avoid open flames: Heat speeds up the process of decay. Thus, refrain from lighting a fire inside the pumpkin. Think about safer choices, like LED lights.

• Soak overnight: If you see that your pumpkin is starting to lose its color or wilt, immerse it in water for the whole night to keep it hydrated and fresh.

• Cool and shaded: Place your pumpkin in a cool, shady area while it's on display. Direct sunlight and heat might speed up degradation.

• Refrigerate for longevity: To keep your pumpkin fresh, cover it with a bag and keep it in the refrigerator during the day. This procedure considerably extends its longevity.