Piñatas: A 400-Year-Old Mexican Tradition Tied to Christian Symbolism

María de Lourdes Ortiz Zacarías, a fourth-generation piñata maker, continues the craft in Acolman, Mexico, where the tradition is particularly significant during Christmas.

• Piñatas, a 400-year-old tradition in Mexico, are not just for children's parties but are deeply interwoven with Christian traditions, particularly around Christmas.
• The most traditional style of piñata is a sphere with seven spiky cones, each representing one of the seven deadly sins. Hitting the piñata is a symbolic blow against sin.
• Piñatas were not originally filled with candy but with hunks of sugar cane, fruits, and peanuts. They were also made of clay pots covered with paper, not just paper as they are today.
• The tradition of piñatas can be traced back to China, where paper-making originated. In Mexico, they were introduced by the Spanish conquerors but may also replicate pre-Hispanic traditions.
• María de Lourdes Ortiz Zacarías, who runs a family business of making piñatas in Acolman, Mexico, is the fourth generation in her family to take up the craft.

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