Why Do We Carve and Paint Pumpkins for Halloween?

Have you ever wondered why pumpkin is synonymous with? Halloween? This was not always the case, as ancient traditions began long before the North American fruit was in use. So, why do we decorate pumpkins for Halloween?

Just as languages ​​change over the centuries, so do traditions and customs. But the spirit of those traditions remains. We don’t decorate pumpkins for the same reasons our ancestors did, but it still connects us to celebrations of the past. Specifically, it connects us to the ancient Celtic holiday of Samhain.

Samhain

For the Celts in the early Middle Ages, Samhain (pronounced soo-win) It was a celebration of the cycle of life and death. They believed that October 31 was the only night of the year when the veil between the worlds was thinner, and souls could walk between the human world. Vegetable lanterns, usually turnips but also potatoes or beets, are carved with frightening faces to ward off spirits seeking host bodies to possess them.

The Catholic Church, hoping to convert more people, accommodated Samhain celebrations on the day before All Saints’ Day, also called All Saints’ Day, on November 1. Samhain became known as All Saints’ Eve, although most of the celebrations, including the turnip lanterns, remained the same. Centuries later, when Irish immigrants came to America, the sculpture tradition continued Plant lanterns To ward off spirits spread across the country.

Change tradition

While turnips were small and more difficult to carve, Irish immigrants found that North American pumpkins were the perfect canvas for All Saints’ Eve traditions. They switched, and now, very few places, e.g Isle of ManTurnips are still used. But, over the years, more changes have been made to the tradition than just the type of vegetable that is carved. The method of decoration has also changed.

Some traditionalists might say so Carve pumpkins It is the only method that should be followed because it is the closest to the custom of making lanterns. Over time, pumpkin decorating became more about artistic expression. Painting and even carving pumpkins have grown in popularity for the same reason we ditched kale: ease.

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Sculpture or drawing?

Many people cannot carve pumpkins because of the force it requires. It is also not safe for children to use large knives to cut pumpkins. There are limits to what you can carve, if you don’t want to accidentally make a giant hole, that is. Painting and decorating pumpkins with paper and other crafts allows for greater creativity and accessibility.

Whether carving or painting, turning pumpkins into a form of art. Some of the faces on the carved lanterns are sure to scare away any lingering spirits, but the majority of our modern pumpkins are decorated just for fun. It’s a way to show your talent, or simply to do your best, but decorating pumpkins will still be simple Halloween tradition For years to come.

Even if it’s very different from what our ancestors did, continuing to decorate pumpkins still connects us to those ancient customs.