Editing Jack-o'-lantern (section)

{{Short description|Carved pumpkin or root vegetable lantern}}
{{redirect|Halloween pumpkin|the pumpkin cultivar|Connecticut field pumpkin}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
[[File:Balle-à-leunettes 10.jpg|thumb|A traditional American jack-o'-lantern, made from a [[pumpkin]], lit from within by a [[candle]]]]
[[File:RIP Pumpkin.JPG|thumb|A picture carved onto a jack-o'-lantern for Halloween]]

A '''jack-o'-lantern''' (or '''jack o'lantern''') is a carved [[lantern]], most commonly made from a [[pumpkin]], or formerly a [[root vegetable]] such as a [[mangelwurzel]], [[rutabaga]] or [[turnip]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/the-history-of-jack-o-lantern|title=The History of 'Jack-O'-Lantern'|access-date=2018-10-25|language=en}}</ref> Jack-o'-lanterns are associated with the [[Halloween]] holiday. Its name comes from the phenomenon of strange lights flickering over [[peat bog]]s, called ''jack-o'-lanterns'' (also known as ''[[will-o'-the-wisp]]s''). It is suggested that the name also has ties to the Irish legend of [[Stingy Jack]], a drunkard who bargains with [[Satan]] and is doomed to roam the Earth with only a hollowed turnip to light his way.

Jack-o'-lanterns carved from pumpkins are a yearly Halloween tradition that developed in the [[United States]] when Irish, Cornish, Scottish and other [[Celts (modern)|Celtic]] influenced immigrants brought their root vegetable carving traditions with them.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.history.com/topics/halloween/jack-olantern-history|title=History of the Jack O' Lantern|work=HISTORY|access-date=2018-10-25|language=en}}</ref>  It is common to see jack-o'-lanterns used as external and interior decorations prior to and on Halloween.

To make a jack-o'-lantern, the top of a pumpkin is cut off to form a lid, the inside flesh is scooped out, and an image—usually a "scary" or "funny" face—is carved out of the rind exposing the hollow interior. A light source, traditionally a candle flame or tealight, is placed within before the lid is closed. Artificial jack-o'-lanterns with electric lights are also marketed.