Halloween Pumpkin Carving!
( Jack-o'-lantern )

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Without a doubt the most recognizable symbol of Halloween is a pumpkin carved into a jack-o-lantern. To understand

the origins of how pumpkin carving began and what it really means we must first take a look at the holiday itself. How long has Halloween been around? Have there always been pumpkins carved? Here are some answers!

For most of the general population it is known as Halloween and is a night for dressing up, telling ghost stories, having spooky parties, trick-or-treating and pumpkin carving. What most people don't know is that Halloween is actually based on an ancient Celtic holiday known as Samhain (pronounced "sow wan"), which means "summer's end".

It was the end of the Celtic year, starting at sundown on October 31st and going through to sundown November 1st. It was a night to honor loved ones that had passed on since the veil between their realm and ours is at it's thinnest on that night.

Celebrated for centuries by the Celts of old, Witches and many other nature based religions, it is the most magical night of the year. It is the Witches' New Year, and the Last Harvest. Although the religious significance of it has passed for the general public, Halloween is a "magical" night for all!

On this magical night, glowing jack-o-lanterns, carved from turnips or gourds, were set on porches and in windows to welcome deceased loved ones, but also to act as protection against malevolent spirits. Burning lumps of coal were used inside as a source of light, later to be replaced by candles.

See: Pumpkin carving pictures | Watch: Pumpkin carving videos

When European settlers, particularly the Irish, arrived in American they found the native pumpkin to be larger, easier to carve and seemed the perfect choice for jack-o-lanterns. Halloween didn't really catch on big in this country until the late 1800's and has been celebrated in so many ways ever since!

Pumpkins are indigenous to the western hemisphere and were completely unknown in Europe before the time of Columbus. In 1584, the French explorer Jacques Cartier reported from the St. Lawrence region that he had found "gros melons", which was translated into English as "ponpions," or pumpkins. In fact, pumpkins have been grown in America for over 5,000 years. Native Americans called pumpkins "isquotersquash."

Did you know that pumpkins are not a vegetable - they are a fruit! Pumpkins, like gourds, and other varieties of squash are all members of the Cucurbitacae family , which also includes cucumbers, gherkins, and melons.

( Courtesy: http://www.pumpkincarving101.com/  )

• Slide show featuring the pumpkin carvings of Ray Villafane,  master sculptor and pumpkin carver.

• Pumpkin Carving 101 - Sections of the history of carving pumpkins, how to choose the right pumpkin, what tools to use, traditional methods, using stencils, how to extend the life-span of a carved pumpkin, and photographing jack o' lanterns.
• Bumpkin Pumpkins - Showcase for pumpkin carving in the UK. Promotes the charity pumpkin carving display held in Woolacombe, North Devon each Halloween.
• Carving a Jack O'Lantern - Templates and carving tips for real pumpkins.
• Drew's Sincere Pumpkin Patch - A photographic log for the growth of a Connecticut field pumpkin patch. Information on pumpkin growing.
• Extreme Pumpkins - Pumpkin carving techniques that focus on extreme designs and the use of power tools. Includes photo gallery and patterns.
• American artist Ray Villafane and the image gallery
• Gusick's Jack-O-Lantern's - Pictures of Jack-O-Lantern carvings over the years. Includes links to carving patterns available on the web and other pumpkin resources.
• Halloween Pumpkin Decorating - Several ideas for dressing up pumpkins for the holiday, including making a Cinderella carriage, and a black cat made from 2 pumpkins.
• Pumpkin Gutter - Gallery of elaborately carved pumpkins.
• Pumpkin Nook - Pumpkin Carving - Detailed instructions for picking and then carving a pumpkin.
• Pumpkins and More - Pumpkin farms, pumpkin nutrition, varieties and selection, and fun activities for children
• Rad's Pumpkin Carving - Images of carved pumpkins from a hobbyist.
• Revenge of the Zombie Pumpkins - Features jack-o-lantern stencils, tips, contests and a carving gallery.
• Stoneykins - Offers hundreds of pumpkin carving patterns, and step by step tutorials on how to carve the perfect pumpkin.
• The Pumpkin Wizard - With over 150 free downloadable pumpkin patterns, carving tools and techniques, instructions to make your own patterns, and a message board for carving help.
• U-Pick Pumpkins and More - Find many varieties of pumpkins, squash, indian corn, broom corn, corn shocks, gourds, and mums. Located in Osage.
• Halloween Jack-O'-Lanterns - slideshow by Life magazine