Miscellaneous, Musing

Did You Know

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

How did the tradition of pumpkin-carving get its start?

© TreeHugger.com

Pumpkins are a form of squash, native to North America. Over 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins are produced in America each year. This fruit (because it develops from a flower, it is technically a fruit and not a vegetable) is the most common symbol of the fall season and Halloween.

The act of carving pumpkins dates back thousands of years to the Celtic festival of Samuin, or Samhain. This festival marked the end of the Celtic year and the beginning of harvest and it was used as a time to honor the dead. Some believed that this was the night when the separation between the worlds of the living and the dead was the thinnest, making it easier to communicate with those on the “other side”. Celts who sought to ward off evil spirits would often light great bonfires to dissuade unfriendly visitors. As Christianity spread, the fires became more contained and were placed inside large gourds or turnips. Families would carve the fruits and vegetables, placing them in their windows and hoping to deter the otherworldly from entering their homes.

Have you carved your pumpkin yet?


NAR©2025

This is “Halloween” by Faun

All text and graphics are copyright for Nancy Richy and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.

27 thoughts on “Did You Know”

Tell me what you're thinking. 🖊️