Description: Have you ever wondered why we carve and paint pumpkins for Halloween The answer is older and stranger than you might think Long before pumpkins took over American porches the tradition began with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain On October 31st the Celts believed the boundary between the living and the dead was at its thinnest To ward off spirits they carved eerie faces into turnips potatoes or beets turning them into lanterns meant to keep wandering souls at bay Centuries later when Irish immigrants brought this tradition to America they found the local pumpkin a fruit native to North America was bigger brighter and much easier to carve than a tough old turnip The pumpkin quickly became the new face of Halloween and the jack-o'-lantern as we know it was born But the tradition didn't stop evolving Today not everyone carves Painting pumpkins has exploded in popularity making the tradition more accessible and creative It's safer for kids easier for anyone without the muscle for carving and opens up endless artistic possibilities So whether you carve a classic grin or paint a wild masterpiece you're part of a centuries-old ritual that's changed with every generation Traditions may evolve but if you look closely you'll find echoes of the past in every flickering pumpkin on Halloween night If you love discovering the hidden stories behind our favorite holidays follow for more history you can see in your own backyard.