Carvers have turned gourds into expressive works of art, like these pumpkins on show at the North Carolina State Fair in 2010.
Today, carving pumpkins may be a lighthearted activity, but jack-o'-lanterns are based on an old and eerie legend from Ireland.
According to the myth, a mysterious man named Stingy Jack played tricks on the devil. On one occasion, Jack trapped the devil in a tree and allowed him down only once he'd promised to leave Jack alone. Once Jack died, God would not allow him into heaven, and the devil would not allow him into hell, leaving Jack trapped in the darkness in between. As the legend goes, Jack put a coal in a hollowed-out turnip to light his way — and he still roams around with this makeshift lamp to this day.
On Hallows' Eve, to ward off evil spirits like Jack, the Irish used to carve scary faces into turnips and gourds before placing a light in them. Irish immigrants are believed to have brought the tradition to the US.
Pumpkin carver Christian Russell posed with his world record-breaking jack-o'-lantern.
This pumpkin, which was on show in England in 2017, weighed 2,013 pounds.
This angry Viking pumpkin would put fear in anyone.
This work of art by Czech vegetable carver Radek Vach was displayed during the first European vegetable carving competition in Leipzig, eastern Germany, where competitors had just four hours to create their designs. It took place in 2011.
It's hard to believe this sculpture started out as a piece of fruit.
Competitors at the event could carve their designs into fruits and vegetables including pumpkins, melons, papayas, cucumbers, and carrots.
In 2019, artist Jeroen van de Vlag carved a dragon into a giant pumpkin at a festival in Ludwigsburg, Germany.
As well as pumpkins, he carves sand and ice.
Rick Reiski, a pumpkin carver, is pictured working on a 1,124-pound pumpkin.
It was displayed at the 2019 Open Pumpkin Cradle Championships in Germany.
This elegant pumpkin has layers of delicate flower petals.
This exquisite design, by artist Wang Xiang, is a beautiful contrast to the usual spooky faces you see on pumpkins.
Other artists bring a modern-day twist to the centuries-old tradition, like this carver's Lady Gaga design.
Pumpkin carver Hugh McMahon poses with his Lady Gaga pumpkin in New York.
Hillary Clinton appeared on this pumpkin in California weeks before the 2016 election.
The candidates were popular designs during the 2016 election. This photo was taken at the "Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns" show in Los Angeles, California, in October 2016.
Then-presidential nominee Donald Trump joined her for this display in New York in 2016.
This photo was taken in October 2016 in Chelsea Market in New York City.
Suzy Mink's Dr. Anthony Fauci pumpkin in 2020 looked just like him.
Mink has been carving pumpkins for more than 10 years.
In an interview with Good Morning America, Mink said she chooses subjects for "their relevance today, historical significance or just plain fun."
Biden and Trump face-off on a pumpkin.
Mink also carved a detailed image of COVID-19.
When Mink is not carving detailed designs into pumpkins, she is the vice president of external relations at her alma mater, Hollins University.
She also depicted a sight we know all too well: a Zoom meeting.
This design will definitely give some people a fright.
A pumpkin on display in 2020 thanked visitors for taking safety precautions amid the pandemic.
It was on display at the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze in Croton-on-Hudson, New York.
This pumpkin at a display in 2019 honors John Singleton, who's best known for directing "Boyz N the Hood."
The American filmmaker passed away in 2019.
This Rob Zombie jack-o'-lantern is a masterpiece.
It looks just like the singer.
The hosts of the "Today" show made an appearance on this pumpkin.
An artist carved this on set in 2018.
Of course, carvings don't just have to depict human celebrities. Grumpy Cat posed with her matching pumpkin in 2014.
Sculptor Ray Villafane made this replica of the grumpy kitty in Arizona. She passed away in 2019.
This detailed carving pays homage to "Star Wars."
It was displayed outside the world's largest private collection of Star Wars memorabilia in California.
Mike Brown is a 3D pumpkin artist who creates outstanding pumpkins, like this one.
Brown, who is from Missouri, won Food Network's "Halloween Wars Season 7" and holds a Guinness World Record for carving the largest pumpkin.
Sometimes he adds color to make his pumpkins even scarier.
This pumpkin will 100% give you nightmares.
The carved faces even appear soft and squishy.
They are incredibly realistic.
He sometimes adds stalks to create his masterpieces.
This pumpkin by Mike Brown almost looks alive.
It feels as if this pumpkin is looking right at you.
The wrinkled skin makes the pumpkin extremely realistic.
These carvings would give you a fright if you saw them in your neighborhood.
The incredible designs were displayed in a restaurant in Turkey.
Another whimsical design shows a jumping swordfish.
The artist said it took about two hours to carve this creation, which was displayed at the Denver Botanic Gardens.
This pumpkin stays true to its frightening Halloween roots.
It was designed as part of a TV show, "Carvers," in 2014.
As does this multi-pumpkin skeleton display.
It was just one of the many creative designs on display at Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge, California, in 2014.
At the same event, these four hand-carved "Wizard of Oz" pumpkins really took the tradition to the next level.
The carvings look just like the iconic characters.
The Kardashians brought a touch of glamour to this display.
Khloe and Kris Kardashian pumpkins are pictured as part of a display in 2014.
This growling pumpkin was preserved in vinegar while on display at the "Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns" exhibit in California in 2014.
The pumpkins in the exhibit were created by professional artists and sculptors.
It sat alongside this mean-looking mummy pumpkin.
This design was also preserved in vinegar inside a box.
A dinosaur skeleton carving is made out of dozens of full-size pumpkins.
It was on display at the Rise of the Jack-O'-Lanterns exhibit in California.
Similarly, a unicorn was created from multiple carved pumpkins.
It was on display at the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze in Croton-on-Hudson, New York, in 2020.
If you're looking for inspiration for how to carve a pumpkin face this year, this wall should help.
The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze in Croton-on-Hudson, New York, in 2020 had more than 7,000 pumpkins on show.
In New York City, the "Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns" show included this Disney-themed pumpkin.
The spectacle on Governors Island displays more than 5,000 hand-carved pumpkins created by professional artists.
Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns events were canceled in 2020, and some remain canceled this year, as well.
Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns at Old Westbury Gardens in New York hopes to resume in 2022.
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