One of the most enduring images of Halloween is the Jack O' Lantern. Originally the Jack O' Lantern was a turnip carved out so it could hold a candle and act as a lamp. When Irish immigrants flooded into America they brought the tradition with them. They discovered that in the New World pumpkins were plentiful and easier to carve than turnips. Thus the Jack O' Lantern, as we know it today, was born.

The tradition began with an old Irish folk tale. Like many tales handed down over the centuries the story of 'Stingy Jack' exists in many variations. One of the most complete versions that I have found starts…

Stingy Jack was a notorious drunkard and trickster. He never worked, preferring to beg or steal food from his neighbours. Eventually time caught up with Jack and the Devil appeared before him. The Devil explained that it was time for Jack to leave this mortal world and that he had come for Jacks soul.

"I am honoured that the prince of evil comes in person for me soul," says Jack but adds, "I'm not ready to go."

"Mortal, you can not choose when to die, your soul is mine for the taking" boomed the Devils voice.

"Wait, wait, your majesty! Before we go can I play one more trick on the two Christians who are following close behind me?"

The Devil knew that Jack was a master con man and was wary of doing a deal with him. The Devil did not like Christians so he agreed to listen to Jacks plan. Jack explained that he had stolen a chicken from each of the men pursuing him. He outlined a plan in which the Devil would change himself into two silver coins. Jack would put the coins in his purse and offer the purse to the two Christians in payment for the chickens he stole. When the purse was in the possession of the Christians the Devil could vanish leaving the purse empty. When the Christians arrived home and found the purse was empty they would blame each other for stealing the money. The Devil liked Jacks plan and even thought to himself that the Christians might fight and kill each other giving him another two souls. The devil agreed to Jacks plan and changed himself into two silver coins. Jack took the coins and placed them into his purse. To the Devils horror the purse contained a crucifix and he lost all his powers and without his power he could not escape.

"Let me out of here!" Screamed the Devil.

"I might be able to oblige if you do something for Me." said Jack and then he put his demands to the Devil. "I want to live another twenty years."

"Impossible!" screamed the Devil, " I can offer seven years at best."

Jack thought that seven years were better than none. He could turn over a new leaf and earn himself a place in heaven. He agreed to release the Devil on one condition that he agreed never to allow Jack's soul into hell. The Devil agreed and Jack removed the crucifix from the purse and the silver coins disappeared. Seven years passed very quickly and Jack never changed his ways. At the end of the seven-year period Jack died suddenly and found himself at the gates of heaven but St Peter barred his way.

"You have been a wicked and an evil man all your life and now standing before the gates of heaven you show no remorse." Said Peter

"Away with you all!" shouted Jack in deviance, " I'll go and see my friend the Devil. At least he has a sense of humour"

The trouble was the Devil did not have a sense of humour. As Jack neared the gates of hell he was greeted by the prince of evil. "It is you yourself your majesty. Imagine you coming in person to welcome me in.," said Jack.

"You cannot enter," the Devil replied. " A promise is a promise and you made a pact with me seven years ago. You set me free and I gave you seven years of life and the promise that I would never allow your soul into hell."

"I won't hold you to that promise your majesty" said Jack.

"I always keep my side of the bargain," said the Devil, a broad grin appearing on his face.

"But what is to become of me?" asked Jack. "Where can I go? I have been cast out of heaven."

"You are cursed to walk the dark paths of the world and to shun the light for all eternity" explained the Devil.

Jack broke down and began to weep at the feet of the Devil. "Please don't send me out, blind, into the darkness" he cried.

The Devil seemed genuinely moved by Jacks plight and tossed him a burning ember from the fires of Hell. "Take this flame. It will burn for all eternity and light your way forever." But Jack could not lift the ember because the flames of hell burn the spirit. The Devil carved out a turnip and pierced holes in its side. He placed the burning ember inside the turnip to make a lamp. Jack took the lamp and went out into the darkness.

Jack can be seen on the darkest of nights, walking the moors and swamps, or wandering around lonely crossroads, carrying the lantern before him. Mortals gave a name to his lost soul, Jack O' Lantern. The tradition of the Halloween lantern grew from this story. Superstitious people would hang turnip lamps up on their property to let Stingy Jack know that he was not welcome there.