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Stingy Jack
The man who tricked the Devil—twice. Now he wanders forever with only a turnip lantern. Jack was too evil for Heaven and too clever for Hell. The origin of the Jack-o'-lantern.
Ancient - Present
Ireland
1000+ witnesses
Stingy Jack is an Irish folktale figure who tricked the Devil and is doomed to wander the earth—the origin of Jack-o’-lanterns.
The Legend
According to documented folklore:
Stingy Jack:
- Was a clever drunkard
- Tricked the Devil twice
- Made the Devil promise not to take his soul
- Was denied entry to both Heaven and Hell
- Now wanders with a lantern
The First Trick
Jack invited the Devil for a drink:
- The Devil turned into a coin to pay
- Jack put the coin in his pocket
- Next to a silver cross
- The Devil was trapped
- Jack released him for a promise: no soul collection for 10 years
The Second Trick
Ten years later:
- The Devil returned
- Jack asked for an apple first
- The Devil climbed a tree
- Jack carved a cross in the trunk
- The Devil was trapped again
- Jack’s price: never take his soul
After Death
When Jack died:
- Heaven rejected him (too sinful)
- Hell rejected him (Devil’s promise)
- The Devil gave him a burning coal
- Jack put it in a carved turnip
- He wanders between worlds forever
The Jack-o’-Lantern
The tradition:
- Originally carved turnips in Ireland
- Americans used pumpkins instead
- Represents Jack’s wandering
- Placed to ward off evil spirits