Pumpkin carving originated as a local autumn lantern craft that evolved from older European customs and a folklore tale, then transformed into the Halloween staple we know in North America today. The core thread traces back to the Irish and Scottish practice of carving vegetables to ward off spirits and light the way for the living, with turnips and other root vegetables used in Europe (guising traditions and lantern practices) long before pumpkins became the preferred canvas in the United States. When Irish immigrants arrived in North America, pumpkins were more plentiful and easier to carve, so the tradition shifted to pumpkins and spread widely through American Halloween culture. The popularization of the carved pumpkin (jack-o-lantern) is also linked to tales of Stingy Jack and the broader folklore of spirits and mischief that accompanied All Hallows’ Eve. Key points by era and region:

• European roots: Carved turnips, beets, and other gourds were used in Ireland, Scotland, and nearby regions as lanterns to scare away spirits during autumn festivals such as Samhain. Candles were placed inside to illuminate the faces. This practice established the “jack-o’-lantern” concept.

• Folklore influence: The Stingy Jack myth and related devil lore contributed to the symbolism of wandering spirits and the lanterns that guided or warded them. The folklore underpinning jack-o’-lanterns was widely cited in later explanations of Halloween symbolism.

• American adaptation: In the 19th century, Irish and other European immigrant communities brought these customs to the United States, where pumpkins were abundant and easy to carve, amplifying the practice and integrating it into mainstream Halloween celebrations.

If you’d like, I can pull specific sources or summarize how different regions’ practices differed (turnips vs pumpkins, guising vs trick-or-treat, etc.) with precise citations.