Question
Here is the question : JACK-O’-LANTERNS WERE ORIGINALLY CARVED FROM WHAT?
Option
Here is the option for the question :
- Apples
- Turnips
- Pears
- Melons
The Answer:
And, the answer for the the question is :
Explanation:
A ‘jack-o’-lantern’ was a night watchman in 17th-century Britain who walked the streets with a lantern. However, in Celtic paganism, it was customary to carve hideous faces into turnips and set them alight with candles to fend off evil spirits. Immigrants probably brought it to America and adapted it to use pumpkins instead of other, less frequently available vegetables. In order to ward off ghosts, they were given the moniker of the night watchman.
Jack-o’-lanterns have become an iconic symbol of Halloween. The glowing, carved faces of these pumpkins are often seen on doorsteps, windowsills, and in front of homes during the spooky season. However, many people are surprised to learn that the original jack-o’-lanterns were not made from pumpkins at all. Instead, they were carved from turnips.
The tradition of carving turnips into jack-o’-lanterns dates back to ancient Celtic cultures. These cultures believed that during the festival of Samhain (which later became Halloween), the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. The Celts would carve scary faces into turnips and other root vegetables and place them outside their homes to ward off evil spirits and protect themselves from harm.
When the Celts migrated to America, they brought their tradition of carving turnips with them. However, they soon found that pumpkins were much more readily available in the United States and were also easier to carve. As a result, the tradition of carving jack-o’-lanterns from pumpkins became more common.
the original tradition of carving turnips lives on in some parts of the world. In Ireland and Scotland, for example, turnip lanterns are still made for Halloween. They are often called “tumshie lanterns” or “neep lanterns,” as “tumshie” is Scottish slang for turnip and “neep” is the Scottish word for the same vegetable.
While the tradition of carving jack-o’-lanterns from pumpkins is now more popular, some people still prefer the unique look of turnip lanterns. Turnips have a slightly different texture than pumpkins, so they require a bit more skill to carve. However, the end result can be quite striking, with the turnip’s natural lines and curves adding a unique dimension to the finished lantern.
turnips also have a long history as a food crop. They were a staple food in many parts of Europe for centuries and were often used to make soups, stews, and other hearty dishes. Turnips are also a good source of nutrients, including vitamin C, fiber, and potassium.
while pumpkins have become the most iconic symbol of Halloween, it is important to remember that the original jack-o’-lanterns were carved from turnips. This humble root vegetable has a long and rich history, both as a food crop and as a symbol of protection during the spooky season. Whether you prefer pumpkins or turnips for your jack-o’-lanterns, the spirit of Halloween lives on in this age-old tradition.