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Shamhain (Halloween) was the time of year when the herds were culled.  The farmers and herders killed the old, sick and weak animals, as well as others they didn't think would make it through the winter.  Prior to the last few centuries in the West, most people lived with death as a common part of life, especially seeing most of them lived on farms.  Shamhain became imbued with symbolism of these annual deaths. So skeletons and skulls joined ghosts as symbols of the holiday.

Another holiday held at the same time as Halloween is also linked closely to skeletons and bones.  During the Mexican holiday of 'The Days of Death', the townspeople dress up as ghouls, ghosts, mummies and skeletons and parade through the town carrying an open coffin.  The 'corpse' within smiles as it is carried through the narrow streets of the town.  The locall vendors toss oranges inside as the procession makes its way past their markets.  Lucky 'corpses' can also catch flowers, fruit and candies. Skeletons and skulls are found everywhere.  Chocolate skulls, marzipan coffins and white chocolate skeletons.  Special loaves of bread are baked, called pan de muertos, and are decorated with bones.