Halloween
Jack-o’-turnips: The Origins Behind Today’s Halloween Traditions
By
Sep 8, 2006, 11:17

(ARA) - Carved your turnips and rutabagas for Halloween yet? Believe it or not, when the celebration of Halloween originally began as a celebration of the Celtic New Year back around 700 B.C., pumpkins didn’t exist in Europe. Instead, an ember would be placed in a hollowed out turnip or rutabaga, which would be used as a lantern to protect against evil spirits, including a character called Stingy Jack, hence the term jack-o’-lantern.

Fortunately, when Irish immigrants brought their Halloween traditions to America, they found that native pumpkins were plentiful and much easier to carve than turnips or rutabagas (not to mention, they make a much tastier pie). Over time Halloween traditions merged with those of the American harvest celebrations, which included another plant -- corn. In the 1880s, the Wunderle Candy Company became the first commercial producer of candy corn, another modern Halloween staple.

As Halloween continued to grow in popularity, it became the second largest decorating holiday in the United States, which explains why Yankee Candle candles such as Pumpkin Pie and Trick-or-Treat candy corn-scented candles are America’s favorites during this time of year.

“Halloween is a great time of year,” comments Rick Ruffolo, senior vice president of brand, marketing, and innovation for Yankee Candle.

“It’s a time when the days are getting shorter, the air a bit crisper, and the colors and scents of the falling leaves fill the air. Yankee Candle offers customers many ways to bring the season into their homes with candles such as Autumn Leaves, Autumn Wreath, Harvest, and Spiced Pumpkin.”

So, as you carve your pumpkin, eat candy corn and light your favorite Yankee candles this year, remember you could have been celebrating with jack-o’-turnips and candy rutabagas. Now that’s a scary thought.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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