Mas

The piñata is known for its use in many traditional celebrations in Latin American cultures as well as its use in the U.S. However, piñatas may have actually originated in China. It is believed that Marco Polo discovered the Chinese fashion figures of cows, oxen or buffaloes, covered with colored paper and adorned with harnesses and trappings, and took the tradition back with him to Italy.

Here are some descriptions of how piñatas were or are used throughout the world:

Italy: The piñata was called a pignatta, which means “fragile pot” in Italian, and was filled with trinkets, jewelry, or candies. A blindfolded person would try to hit the pignatta while it was being swung back and forth from a rope. Once the pot was broken open, the guests would all rush out and collect the fallen contents.

Spain: The Italian custom of breaking the pignatta spread throughout Europe and to Spain. The custom of the piñata originally took part during the time of Lent, and when the tradition spread to Spain, the first Sunday in Lent became a fiesta called the ‘Dance of the Piñata.’ The Spanish used a clay container called la olla, the Spanish word for pot. At first, la olla was not decorated. Later, ribbons, tinsel and fringed paper were added and wrapped around the pot.

Spanish missionaries took the piñatas to Mexico, where the Aztecs accepted them because of their similarity to a custom of theirs. However, very different from the Aztec custom was the Spanish belief that the piñata represented Satan. It was decorated beautifully to lure the innocent person who came into contact with it. The person was blindfolded to represent “blind faith.” Fruits and candies inside represented the temptations of Satan and the stick was a symbol of goodness, as only good can overcome evil. Once the piñata was broken, the candies and fruit then stood for a just reward. The moral of the story: have faith to conquer the enemy.

Aztec: Aztecs celebrated the birthday of the Aztec god of war, Huitzilopochtli. At the end of the year a priest placed a clay pot filled with treasures on a pole in the temple. The pot was decorated with colorful feathers. It was broken with a stick or club in front of the image of the god and the treasures that fell were believed to be an offering. The piñata was brought to the Americas by the Spanish explorers and conquistadors along with the traditions, customs, and religion of their homeland. Mexicans adopted these traditions and the piñata soon became one of their own.

Mexico: Mexican artists found other ways of making piñatas using paper-mache and cardboard. Piñatas were shaped to symbolize Mexican heritage and took the form of piñatas today. Piñatas can be found in all shapes and sizes throughout Mexico and the U.S.

The most traditional style piñata looks a bit like Sputnik, with seven points, each with streamers. These cones represent the seven deadly sins, or pecados: greed, gluttony, sloth, pride, envy, wrath and lust.   Modern ones often represent characters known to most children. Others are shaped like fruits, baskets, rockets, etc.  At Christmas, star-shaped piñatas suggestive of the Star of Bethlehem are especially popular.

Piñatas are especially popular during Las Posadas, traditional processions ringing in the Christmas season, and at birthday parties. During festivities, people traditionally sing songs while breaking the piñatas. 

In religious ceremonies, the piñata represented the three theological virtues of faith, hope and charity. 

First, the piñata represented ‘fe’, or faith, by the blindfolded participant. People gathered near the player and spun him around to confuse his sense of space. Sometimes the turns numbered thirty three in memory of the life of Christ. The voices of others cry out guidance:  ¡Más arriba! More upward! ¡Abajo! Lower!  ¡Enfrente! In front!

In Mexico parents and children sing this special piñata song:

 “Dale, dale, dale, no pierdas el tino,  porque si lo pierdes, pierdes el camino.

“Esta piñata es de muchas mañas, sólo contiene naranjas y cañas.”

In English, the song says:

 “Hit, hit, hit. Don’t lose your aim, because once you lose (the momentum), it’s difficult to regain.

“The piñata loves to tease (since the movement is up and down), it only contains oranges and sugar cane.”

Secondly, the piñata served as a symbol of ‘esperanza’, or hope. With the piñata hanging above their heads, people looked towards los cielos (sky or heaven) yearning and waiting for the prize.

Finally, the piñata symbolized ‘caridad.’ or charity. With its eventual breaking, everyone shared in the divine blessings and gifts.

Today, the piñata has lost its religious symbolism and most participate in the game solely for fun.

Source:  Austinkids.org

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Today’s Lesson

1)  The piñatas may have actually originated in _________.

2)  In Italy the piñata was called ________, which means __________ in Italian.

3)  Why did Aztecs accept the piñatas?

4)  Aztecs celebrated the birthday of god_________________ with _____________________

5)  How did the piñatas represent the three theological virtues?

Answers

1)  China.     2)  Pignatta.  Fragile pot.     3)  Because it was similar to an Aztec custom.    4)  Huitzilopochtli.  A clay pot filled with treasures on a pole in the temple, which was broken with a stick in front of the image of the god.     5)  The blindfolded participant represented faith,  people watching towards sky represented hope, and the gifts inside the piñata represented charity.