**The story of the turnip lantern – a Finnish thorn before the pumpkin lantern**
Well, that's it. Everyone probably knows this American pumpkin lantern, which nowadays conquers Halloweens and others, but hey, damn, the Finns have been ahead in this matter as well. Before the pumpkin was included in patterns, we in Finland made lanterns from very basic turnips. This old thorn spike, as it was called, was the original lantern that was used to bring light into the darkness here. The dead were also remembered in this way - so, a little light in the dark autumn.
that weekend, many people remember the dead on All Saints' Day. In Finland, this has always been a devout and a bit more serious thing, but it's just another fact that elsewhere, like Mexico, things like this are handled colorfully and with such joy. The dead there are so wild-looking, but there are still quite a few friendly and welcome guests. Fuck you, it's a different atmosphere than here, but each tradition has its own feeling.
But let's get back to that turnip lantern. They were made here in Finland even before pumpkin lanterns. Yes, that's true. Before the Yankees came up with pumpkin things like this, lights were carved into turnips here. Damn, that turnip wasn't a big one, like 10 cm or a little bigger, a round pot from which those faces were carved, and then a candle was put inside. That's a pretty traditional way, isn't it. There was nothing great about it, but it did bring a little light and warmth to that dark autumn.
That lantern, little thorn, has been a bit forgotten, because, well, as everyone knows, that pumpkin is just bigger and showier. Crazy things always get attention. But yes, if you're reading this, you might be thinking, what a joke, what Finnish tradition has been overshadowed here. Actually, the pumpkin thing is not the only one in the world of lanterns, but we have had this basic low-budget turnip lantern for ages. It's a bad thing that it's been a bit forgotten.
Well, in this case, it's good to remember that this All Saint's Day lantern thing is not just an outer shell. It really has a deeper meaning. Finns think that the dead should be honored with silence and peace, as we are used to. Let's go to the graves, take candles and be silent. Darkness and candlelight create the same somewhat mystical and more devout atmosphere. But on the other hand, damn it, the Mexican mood is completely different. We're there, well, colorfully celebrating, and it's a damn happy party. It's a bit like a carnival, but with the dead. Think now!
You probably know that the Mexican Day of the Dead is such a big celebration where the dead play an important part. They have the same 30 cm tall statues and painted faces there, and they are not afraid to bring death into view. On the other hand, on Finnish All Saints' Day, this tradition continues in silence. Both have their own things, but they both appreciate and remember those who have left.
Well, lanterns are an important part of this remembrance. In Finland, it's a turnip lantern or, well, today it's more grave candles, and in Mexico pumpkins and other decorations. You probably won't notice how all this is related to giving light to those who are no longer among you. It's a bit like a symbolic thing. Well damn, these lanterns, be they turnips or pumpkins, play an important role in us remembering the generations before them.
Nonni, now that things like this have gone through, we can admit that even though that American Halloween has taken over the world, this Finnish tradition with its turnip lanterns is something to be proud of. The helkar's pumpkin wasn't invented out of nowhere, but we Finns have been carving lights into the darkness for a long time, and our own thorn is a living example of that. It's weird, but it's also a tradition. And sprinkles, this is something you shouldn't forget, not even when Halloween is just around the corner.
Lemmo's good mood, huh?
