What Does A Jack-O-Lantern Tattoo Mean?
Jack o lantern tattoos tattoo has been common in the tattoo community for a long time. With their spooky shape and size, they have gotten more popular with age. Since these tattoos have cultural backgrounds and hidden meanings, they have become unique to their kind.
You might ask yourself, what is the meaning of a jack-o-lantern tattoo?
Jack-o-lantern tattoos are often interpreted as a symbol of protection from evil since Jack-o-lanterns used to represent spirits who repelled all evil spirits. It can also act as a metaphor for a guide to the underworld. Some get this tattoo as an expression of their love for the fall and the festive season.
And there is always room for your love to be shown for Halloween, which you can express with this tattoo.
This article will answer all your questions about Jack-o-lantern tattoos. We will also describe various meanings and cultural backgrounds of this tattoo, and explain the meaning behind different designs. Without further ado, let’s get into it.
The Origin and The Myth Regarding Jack-O-Lantern
Jack-o-lantern originated in Gaelic-speaking regions such as Ireland and Scotland where the festival of Samhain was held, which means the time of the supernatural beings.
Hollowed-out turnips were used to be carved to make faces. These faces were used as lanterns as they symbolized warding off evil spirits. These lanterns were kept on the windows to keep harmful spirits out of the home.
Jack-o-lantern also represents a mythological character from a folk tale which is common in many South European countries.
It narrates a story about a cunning blacksmith named Jack who tricked the devil into listening to him and therefore is banished from both Heaven and hell. Jack-o-lantern represents Jack the blacksmith from this tale, who is doomed to roam this earth, guiding spirits into the afterlife.
The Detailed Meanings of A Jack-O-Lantern Tattoo
A Jack-o-lantern tattoo can be interpreted to many things, from your love towards the fall season and Halloween to protection from evil spirits. Below are the details for you.
Protection From Evil
In many cultures, such as Chinese, Japanese and Gaelic traditions lanterns are considered sacred devices that protect everyone from darkness and evil.
According to Irish traditions, vegetables were carved and used as lanterns during harvest festivals. These lanterns were considered the source of light that drives away all kinds of evil spirits.
Jack-o-lantern tattoo meanings are thus considered an indication of protection from evil. Wearing it on your body means symbolizes these traditions and shows that even in the modern era, the origins of the Jack-o-lantern are not forgotten.
You can choose a kind of design or a style that can show its traditional meaning and pay homage to its origin.
Guide to The Underworld
According to Italian folklore, Jack-o-lantern symbolizes Jack the blacksmith who tricked the devil into following his schemes and therefore was banished from the underworld.
He can neither enter heaven nor hell because of the sins he has committed. This Italian myth suggests that Jack is still roaming in this world, guiding spirits to their afterlife with the light on his hand, until he pays his debt.
So, a Jack-o-lantern tattoo meaning can be a symbol of that myth, which means the guide to the underworld.
A tattoo such as this will always be a classic choice for anything edgy or on the darker side, by wearing the correct design, you can show off this meaning which will be great conversation material for your next party.
Signifying Fall and Harvest
The meaning of Jack of Lanterns tattoos represents the spirit of the fall and harvest festival. The season of fall and harvest is very significant in many cultures.
Traditionally, lanterns made out of vegetables were carved during the harvest festivals named Samhain. Although those were made from turnip-like vegetables, due to availability, in America and Europe, these lanterns were carved out of Pumpkin, giving their signature shape and design. Modern-day Jack-o-lanterns owe their origin to these traditions and thus they are, still to this day, associated with the fall season.
That is why Jack-o-lantern tattoos represent the spirit of fall traditions and wearing them is still trendy and fashionable to this day.
Love For Halloween
Jack-o-lantern tattoo of course puts meaning to one’s love for Halloween. Halloween is the festival of spirits which is celebrated in many Nations of the world.
Nowadays, Jack-o-lantern literally means the arrival of Halloween. Although this holiday finds its origins in the occult and witchcraft, now it’s turned into a lightheaded festive season and become synonymous with fall.
American Halloween can’t be completed without a Jack-o-lantern carving inside the house. Jack-o-lantern tattoo obviously means love for Halloween.
And all the fun that comes with it. Because let’s be honest, who doesn’t love Halloween?
Different Designs of The Jack-O-Lantern Tattoo and Their Meaning
Although Jack-o-lantern is a relatively simple design, different designs can hold different meanings if you closely pay attention. Jack-o-lantern can have different meanings with a knife, flowers, bats, etc.
Jack-O-Lantern With A Knife
The meaning of Jack-o-lantern tattoo with a knife can be associated with serial killers and evil spirits. It comes from a famous movie scene on Halloween. In the scene, a carved Jack-o-lantern was slashed with a knife by a serial killer.
Since then, the image of the Jack-o-lantern is related to serial killers.
Although its meaning is not strictly attached to this specifically if you are into serial killer movies and documentaries, a tattoo of a Jack-o-lantern with a knife will be a great option for you.
Jack-O-Lantern With A Boquet of Flowers
The image of a Jack-o-lantern with flowers means the festive season and all the celebrations that follow it.
In America, Jack-o-lantern is synonymous with the autumn season and the fall. And in Europe it represents the harvest season thus, the Jack o lantern tattoo with a bouquet of flowers means the traditional holiday festivals and the culture of gift-giving. According to old European traditions, Halloween was related to opulence and fertility.
During this season, farmers used to exchange gifts such as flowers and harvests with each other. A Jack-o-lantern tattoo with a bouquet of flowers can pay tribute to that tradition.
Jack-O-Lantern Surrounded By Bats
Jack-o-lantern tattoo Surrounded by bats gives it a meaning that is commonly associated with occult and satanism. Bats were used as sacrifices in many devil-worshiping rituals.
And Jack o lantern is infamously related to occult rituals and symbols associated with that. Jack o lantern surrounded by bats means something that is related to the occult.
Where Should You Place A Jack-O-Lantern Tattoo?
A Jack o lantern tattoo design looks quite fashionable and trendy if done correctly. Although the designs do not look good if it is too large in size.
Since it is a relatively simple design, it does not need too many details and intricate details, although you’re more than welcome to get creative with it. The details of a Jack o lantern tattoo do not look good on a broad surface area.
A relatively small surface area should be good to place a Jack-o-lantern tattoo. It looks good on the most visible parts of your body, such as arms, legs, backs, and shoulders, and can be great places to draw it.
Other than that, Jack o lantern can also look good on your thighs if you want to get saucy with it.
Last Thoughts
While you may have never given much thought to a jack-o-lantern tattoo, now you know the hidden meaning behind a jack-o-lantern tattoo.
Because Jack-o-lanterns used to signify spirits who repelled all evil spirits, Jack-o-lantern tattoos are sometimes viewed as a symbol of protection from evil. The tattoo can also be seen as a roadmap to the underworld. The tattoo can also represent the tattoo wearers’ love for the fall and Halloween.
We hope this article resolved the issues that you were facing. Now, Call your tattoo artist and get ready to go under the pen!
