The Legend of Jack-O'-Lantern (Illustrated Version)

Carve out some time to read about his gourd-ness

Hello! I’m Srinidhi, a children’s book illustrator and a sketchbook scribbler. I write about life, art and everything in between. All my posts are free - upgrading to a paid subscription helps me continue writing these posts. Thank you so much for your support!

When I read the legend behind Jack-o-Lanterns, I had to drop everything I was doing to Illustrate this!

I suggest you read the story below and then take your own time to stare at the illustration.

In a small village in Ireland lived a drunkard named Stingy Jack. The devil overheard stories of his devious deeds and decided to have his soul. When the devil came, jack asked the devil to allow him one final drink at his favourite pub. After which, Stingy Jack left the devil on the hook and suggested he turn himself into a pence to pay the bill. The devil was fooled when Jack took the coin and put it into his pocket alongside a silver cross, thereby trapping the devil in his pocket. The devil begged and pleaded, and was let free only on agreeing to leave Jack alone for ten years.

Ten years later, the devil found Jack stumbling his way back home. When the devil asked him to surrender Jack made the request of the devil to climb a nearby apple tree to get him a final snack. While the devil was climbing the tree, Jack carved crosses into the trunk, thereby trapping the devil in the tree. The devil begged and pleaded, and only upon agreeing to never take Jack’s soul.

Many years later, when Stingy Jack died, he was refused entrance into heaven for all his evil deeds. The devil refused him entrance into hell due to their contract. In one final parting gift, the devil gave Jack an ember with hellfire. Alas, Jack was stuck roaming the earth with only a carved turnip glowing with hellfire to light his way. When Stingy Jack ceased to be, Jack of the Lantern began.

The above story was gathered from the internet and all the illustrations and depictions are my own. Hope you had fun reading this. Don’t forget to share this with someone who doesn’t know the legend behind ‘Jack-O’-Lantern’

Happy Halloween!