# 3661-64 - 2002 37c American Bats
37¢ American Bats
Happy Halloween!
Samhain (Old Irish for “summer’s end”) is often considered to be one of the oldest precursors to Halloween. It’s a traditional Gaelic festival first documented around the 10th century. It is believed modern Jack-o’-lanterns were inspired by a Samhain custom. People would hollow out turnips and carve faces into them to use as lanterns at night.
Samhain was a festival to prepare for winter. It lasted from sunset on October 31st to sunset on November 1st. Huge bonfires were lit as a cleansing ritual, crops were harvested and stored, and animals were moved to winter pastures. It was a celebration to hold people through the long, cold days to come.
How did Jack-o’-lanterns get their name?
The name come from an old Irish folk tale told at Halloween. “Stingy Jack” was a notorious drunk and trickster. Satan heard about Jack’s deeds (rumored to be more evil than his own) and went to see for himself. When Jack met Satan, he asked for one last drink before Satan took his soul. Satan agreed and the two went drinking at a local pub. When it came time to pay, Jack convinced Satan to transform into a silver coin. Instead of paying, Jack put the coin in his pocket next to a crucifix, trapping Satan. Jack only released the devil after he promised not to claim Jack’s soul for 10 years.
37¢ American Bats
Happy Halloween!
Samhain (Old Irish for “summer’s end”) is often considered to be one of the oldest precursors to Halloween. It’s a traditional Gaelic festival first documented around the 10th century. It is believed modern Jack-o’-lanterns were inspired by a Samhain custom. People would hollow out turnips and carve faces into them to use as lanterns at night.
Samhain was a festival to prepare for winter. It lasted from sunset on October 31st to sunset on November 1st. Huge bonfires were lit as a cleansing ritual, crops were harvested and stored, and animals were moved to winter pastures. It was a celebration to hold people through the long, cold days to come.
How did Jack-o’-lanterns get their name?
The name come from an old Irish folk tale told at Halloween. “Stingy Jack” was a notorious drunk and trickster. Satan heard about Jack’s deeds (rumored to be more evil than his own) and went to see for himself. When Jack met Satan, he asked for one last drink before Satan took his soul. Satan agreed and the two went drinking at a local pub. When it came time to pay, Jack convinced Satan to transform into a silver coin. Instead of paying, Jack put the coin in his pocket next to a crucifix, trapping Satan. Jack only released the devil after he promised not to claim Jack’s soul for 10 years.