When it comes to Mexican products, the piñata is one of the first things that come to mind. Piñatas are enjoyed around the world for their festive presence and promise of fun. They are beautiful fabulous creations and used for party decorations and also used as a fun game. It is usually enhanced at the end of a party with candy and toys inside.
In the past, piñatas featured traditional motifs, such as the seven-pointed star and the classic donkey. Today, you can buy piñatas that look like SpongeBob, Superman, and Mickey Mouse or just about anything you want. Most of us associate piñatas with being Mexican, but their origins lie elsewhere.
Unlike most Mexican products, the origins of the piñata are multicultural. The merchant and great traveler Marco Polis is known to have seen a version of the modern piñata when he was exploring the Orient in the 13th century. He watched the Mandarin people celebrating the New Year. They were celebrating with miniature representations of animals that were made from craft materials and made holes to accommodate seeds. On a given holiday, it would be displayed, usually hanging from a tree branch and struck with a stick, thus releasing the contents within the piñata. The seeds represented a good upcoming harvest and also brought wealth and prosperity.
Marco Polo, as legend has it, returning to his native Italy, loaded his vessel with luxurious silks, exotic spices, and also brought back an ancient version of the modern piñata and introduced it to the Catholic Church, intertwined with religious festivals. . It wasn’t long before the tradition spread from Italy to Spain, which in turn reached the New World from Spain. The missionaries used the piñata to teach the natives their religious doctrine. Interestingly, this method managed to teach the indigenous people of Mexico because they already had their own version of the piñata.
The Aztecs honored their god each year with a gift. This offering took the form of a clay pot containing presents. When the contents fell to the ground, it was a signal to the Aztecs that the offerings had been received.
Wearing a blindfold when trying to open the piñata also has its roots in the past. The ancient Mayans were known to play their game blindfolded. Taking note of this practice were the Spanish missionaries and they incorporated the blindfold into the teachings with the piñata.
Today, piñatas are one of the most sought after Mexican products. Piñatas are in high demand in the United States. The most popular piñatas have to do with a child’s birthday party. Children love the game and the treasures hidden inside.
Getting a piñata for your next event or party will really give it that special festive feeling. Over time, I can provide all shapes of piñatas. If you’d like, I’ll be more than happy to help you with planning or just suggestions for your Mexican fiesta.
