Can’t believe that in less than one week little lady will be one year old!!!
As I mentioned in my last post little man and little lady were going to visit a special place. Unfortunately due to the rain our plans had to change. We decided to just go shopping for little lady’s birthday. We were able to pick a theme and everything. Hello Kitty it is
As we were shopping my hubs made a very great point which kind of makes me laugh. He said “why do you pick a piñata based on your child’s favorite character if you are only going to beat it to death with a stick!” I was like “I dunno great point. I guess that is why they have the pull a string ones now”
When I got home I decided to research the history of piñatas.
Here is what I found at
http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/459-history-of-the-pi%C3%B1ata
A version of what we call a piñata is said to have originated in China due to what Marco Polo found on his visit. What he saw was more in animal shapes and decorated in color paper. When they would hit these figures with sticks seeds would be released from the animal shaped thing.
Later in the 14th century the custom was passed down to Europe. It was used to celebrate lent. The first Sunday was known as “piñata Sunday” “The Italian word ‘pignatta’ means ‘fragile pot.’” It’s believed that this is where the pineapple shape was invented. “Also the Latin prefix ‘piña’ implies a cluster of flowers or fruits as in ‘pineapples’ and ‘pine cones’.”
Then in the 16 century the piñatas were used to attract those interested in the religion to convert into their religion. This happened within the Spanish missionaries to north America.
The Aztecs were already practicing a similar tradition by decorating pots that contained treasures or offerings and breaking them with sticks in front of their gods. This symbolized a type of offering.
The mayan’s were also practicing a similar tradition more sport oriented where you would hit a clay pot that was hanging from a string.
“The decorated clay pot also called a cantero represents Satan who often wears an attractive mask to attract humanity. The most traditional style piñata looks a bit like Sputnik, with seven points, each with streamers. These cones represent the seven deadly sins, pecados – greed, gluttony, sloth, pride, envy, wrath and lust. Beautiful and bright, the piñata tempted. Candies and fruits inside represented the cantaros (temptations)of wealth and earthly pleasures.”
Today the piñatas aren’t related to religion. They are mainly used at children birthday parties. They also have changed in shapes and sizes. Most of the piñatas seen now are usually a favorite character and are filled with edible treats.
I’ll leave you now with a song I sang as a child while we broke the piñata.
‘Dale, dale, dale, no perdas el tino,
porque si lo perdes, pierdes el camino.
Esta piñata es de muchas mañas, sólo contiene naranjas y cañas.
Hit, hit, hit.
Don’t lose your aim,
Because if you lose, you lose the road.
This piñata is much manna, only contains oranges and sugar cane.’
Thanks to Mexconnect.com for all the info.
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