Piñatas

History and Significance

History

• Piñatas were used by Spanish Catholic priests to teach religion to the Native peoples of Central and South America in the 16th century, almost 500 years ago!

• Some say piñatas are even older, but there is not much record to prove it.

Significance

• The priests used the piñatas as an analogy, or an object lesson, to help the natives understand different parts of Christianity.

• This is what a traditional piñata looks like:

Significance

• Each part of the piñata represented something different:– Round body: the devil– 7 cones: sin/ the 7 deadly sins

Significance

• Blindfold: Faith• Stick: Virtue• Person: Us (humans)/force against evil• Candy: Reward for overcoming sin

Piñatas Today

• Today piñatas have lost their religious meaning and are used as a fun activity for all kinds of celebrations: – Christmas– Birthdays– Family gatherings– Almost every holiday

Piñatas Today

• Piñatas can look like anything nowadays. Anything from animals to cars and trucks; or to your favorite cartoon character or superhero.

Piñatas are Fun!

• Let’s go have our own piñata breaking party!