The skeleton represents the dead and the departed. The Celtic celebration of Samhain (pronounced sow-en) has led us to our familiar holiday of Halloween. And the Celts believe that departed spirits can re-visit earth. The frightful skeleton, thus, forms one of the main symbols of Halloween and looks ready to jauntily walk out of the pumpkin and into your house. Or perhaps he is stuck in a coffin waiting to be opened and set out.
Carve this pattern within a circle so that portions other than the skeleton body are cut out. Then use a fine carving knife for the ribs and bony fingers and teeth to glow.
Click on the image below to download a full-size image of this pattern. Enlarge or make as small as needed. Patterns will open in a new window.
Download Skeleton Pumpkin Carving Stencil.