Let’s Break the Piñata

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Some authors confirm that the piñata was brought to the West by commerce and travel since the 12th century.  On one of his trips to far away China, the Italian, Marco Polo saw them constructed in the form of a cow and ox, with colored paper decorations and filled with seeds.

 

Soon its use spread to Europe, as it became a custom to make some Roman Catholic celebrations more attractive. Arriving in the Americas, the monks continued using it for attracting people to the temples.     In the Catholic faith, the seven corners of the piñata represent the seven deadly sins and the stick used for breaking it, symbolizes the faith in which man should destroy the passions, throughout his/her life.

 

These colored works have changed over time and now are made of cardboard with paste and paper-mâché.  But it was only a few years back that piñatas were made with thick clay pots – that resulted in plenty of heads receiving bumps or even some that got split open – but they received comfort in knowing they got a good chunk of the piñata’s “belly”.

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Even today, you can find piñatas of all shapes imagined, the most popular for some spoiled children are those that represent their favorite movie and television heroes like Bart Simpson and Spiderman. However, don’t forget the traditional figures like: stars, peacocks, parakeets, toucans, donkeys, flowers, watermelon, carrots, boats, sirens, etc.

 

The important thing is that they be filled with oranges, limes, mandarins, turnips, peanuts, and a collection of sweets. Encourage yourself to celebrate this Christmas, even far from your town. Invite your friends and neighbors to break the piñata.

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