1. PiñatasPiñatas Created and Presented by Ms. Steinmetz

2. The piñata is a bright container generally suspended on a rope from a tree branch or ceiling that is stuffed with candy or toys. It is used during celebrations all over the world for hundreds of years to celebrate special occasions such as birthdays and Christmas, and Day of the Dead. Piñatas are traditionally made from easily breakable materials, like straw, paper mache, or even clay. Normally they are made in the shape of human or animal figures (often a star) but in recent times, vehicles, cartoon characters, or corporate mascots have gained in popularity.

3. Mexico The piñata is traditionally shaped like a seven-pointed star representing the devil and the seven deadly sins: greed, gluttony, sloth, pride, envy, wrath and lust. The blindfolded participant represents the leading force in defying evil, faith, which must be blind. Hitting the piñata with the stick makes ‘him’ let go of the good things (symbolized by candy and small items) he has taken hold of. The piñata in Mexico is a symbol of hope and of new beginnings.

4. Heated Debate: Origin The long held traditional belief is that the piñata was started by the Spanish in Mexico… However, recent findings show that Marco Polo during his exploration of China discovered the Chinese fashioning figures of cows, oxen or buffaloes, covered with colored paper and adorned with harnesses and trappings. As a New Year’s celebration, they would break open these shapes and burns the remains saving the ashes for good luck. Legend has it that Marco Polo took the tradition back to Europe, first to Italy and then to Spain.

5. …Continued Spanish missionaries to North America brought their piñatas along. They covered them with colored paper/decorations, sometimes to make them look intimidating, in the hopes of attracting people to their religious ceremonies. Latin Americans celebrated the birthday of the Aztec god of war, Huitzilopochtli, by having priests place a clay pot on a pole in the temple at year's end. Colorful feathers adorned the richly decorated pot, filled with tiny treasures. When broken with a stick or club, the treasures fell to the feet of the god's image as an offering.

6. Piñatas Today… Although piñatas are still used during celebrations, they are generally used for entertainment at birthday parties and other celebrations, rather than for religious instruction or conversion. They are found in virtually every size and shape.

10. Project Objective Research piñata designs and sketch an original design. Create a piñata using a balloon, cardboard, paper mache, tissue paper, and paint. Size not to exceed 1.5 ft. (L,W,&H)