The tradition of carving Halloween lanterns comes from an Irish folktale about StingyJack, who was refused entry to both heaven and hell. Forced to roam the earth using a hollowed-out swede as a light, he became known as Jack O’Lantern. People imitated his plight on All Hallow’s Eve when spirits were thought to be especially active. Irish migrants carried the tale to North America, where the swede was swapped for the pumpkin.