Mexican Children, instead of pinning tails on donkeys, hit a donkey until it breaks open to spill out candy. They’re called piñatas, and they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and are found at almost every Mexican celebration. Enjoy one at your next party, adult or children…it’s fun for all ages.
The History of the Piñata
Although there are many stories about the piñata’s history (some say it was invented by Native Mexicans while others say it originated in Italy during the Renaissance), the most popular story is that it was invented by the Chinese. To celebrate the New Year, they would make figures of cows, oxen or buffalo covered with colored paper and filled with seeds. When Marco Polo discovered this Chinese custom, he brought it back to Europe (particularly Italy and Spain) where it became associated with Lent (the 40-day period from Ash Wednesday to Easter observed by Christians). When the Spanish conquered Mexico in the 16th century, they introduced Mexicans to the piñata.
Religion and the Piñata
The most traditional piñata style is the star with seven points. Each cone represents the seven deadly sins—gluttony, greed, sloth, envy, wrath, pride and lust. Although the point is to get the candy inside, the piñata game is actually filled with symbolism. The blindfolded player with the stick represents the leader trying to destroy evil. This is faith because faith is blind. Secondly, the piñata symbolizes hope —it hangs above people's heads, so they look up to the sky or heaven to wait for the prize inside. Finally, the piñata represents charity because when it breaks, everyone gets to share the candy. However, you’ll see all kinds of piñatas these days, from the traditional (donkeys, parrots, sombreros) to Batman, Tweety Bird, Winnie the Pooh, soccer balls and wedding cakes! It’s all up to your imagination and creativity.
How to Make a Piñata
So now that you know the history behind the piñata, it’s time to make one for your next birthday bash, Independence Day or Cinco de Mayo celebration?
Here's what you'll need!
- 1 balloon
- Newspaper
- 2 cups of flour
- 2 1/2 cups of water
- Colored crepe paper
- Paint, crayons or felt markers
- String
- Goodies to fill the piñata
Instructions
- Blow up the balloon.
- Mix flour and water in a large bowl until it makes a smooth paste.
- Tear newspapers into long, thin strips and dip them in the mixture.
- Carefully place the strips on the balloon until it's covered, but leave a hole at the top.
- Let it dry, and then place another layer of strips dipped in the mixture over the balloon.
- Repeat this step once more. Don’t forget to leave the hole!
- When dry, pop and remove the balloon.
- Paint and decorate your piñata with feathers and glitter, and glue colored crepe paper on the sides and bottom. Be as creative as you want!
- Punch two holes on either side of the piñata and pass a large piece of string through the holes so you'll be able to hang it up.
- Fill your piñata with candy, confetti, toys and other cool treats through the hole you left at the top. Enjoy!
Pinatas Don’t Come That Way?
"A number of years ago a young couple came on one of our Focus programs and told us of a previous visit to Mexico at which time they purchased a Piñata and carried it back to Canada to have for their daughters seventh birthday party. The kids were estatic and couldn't wait to take turns at the bat and break the Piñata. Finally someone broke through; it burst open, and the broken pieces fell to the floor. The kids ran for the candy, intuitively knowing there should be some, and when they realized the Piñata was empty, one after the other started to cry. Pam, their mom, had the mistaken belief that when you bought the Piñata, it was already filled with candy."
"Sometime later, our neighbor Celina had a birthday party for her husband John and had a Piñata hanging in the garden intending to get the bat out and let everyone have a go at it a little later in the party. The previous experience that Pam had shared came to my mind so I proceeded to tell Celina this funny story. She looked at me in horror and said, "You mean it doesn't come filled with candy?" I couldn't believe she didn't know that, having lived in Mexico for several years. Celina's eyes immediately went to my husband Ray and without her having to ask, Ray nodded and dashed off to Ajijic to buy the candy. Celina then discretely filled it. Later, the Piñata was successfully broken; everyone shared in the loot, and no one was the wiser."
The moral of the story: "Don't forget to fill the Piñata with candy"