Jack and his Irish Name

[iHaunt]

I read about it online, and it was very interesting....

So who is Sean na Gealai?

Better yet, how do you say "Sean na Gealai"? Well, this is close enough for government work - Shawn na Gwalle. All the 'a's are long, 'ah', as in squall or all.

The name Sean is Irish for John, and of course Jack is another variant of John.

"Gealach" is Irish for moon, whereas "gealai" is half, waning or small moon, a word also used to indicate laterns.

So when the Irish of about three centuries ago told tales of a wicked trickster so depraved he wasn't even welcome in Hell, a man so feared his face kept the forces of darkness at bay, they called him Sean. His full title is Sean na Gealai, "John of the little moon/Jack of the Lantern".

And when they carved his face and lit it with a coal or candle, they used turnips - but not just any turnips. The Irish used a large turnip called a Swede, or Swedish Turnip... also known as a rutabaga.

[Pumpkin_Man]

Interesting story. By the way, it is believed that Halloween as we know it started in Ireland.

Mike

[iHaunt]

Interesting story. By the way, it is believed that Halloween as we know it started in Ireland.

Mike

Yes, that's true.