History of Pinatas
Legend dates pinatas back to the 14th century in China. Supposedly, Chinese farmers would use clay pots decorated with color paper shaped to look like animals on a farm. They would use them in ceremonies to ensure a fruitful harvest.
It is said that Marco Polo discovered this Chinese tradition and passed them over to the Europeans, who then passed the tradition on to the Aztec Indians. Originally pinatas were used to help convert people to Christianity. Some Indians adopted the ceremony as a way to worship to the Aztec God of War. This ceremony involved a priest placing a colorfully decorated clay pot on a pole in the temple at year’s end and filling it with treasures. When the pot was broken, the treasures fell to the feet of the God’s image. This represented an offering of gifts to the God.
Today, pinatas come in all shapes, sizes and colors and custom pinatas can be made, making them extra special and extra unique. In some places, they are still used as a religious ceremony, but they are widely used as party games for birthdays, company parties, bridal showers, baby showers and even Super Bowl parties. Pinatas are fun for children, fun for adults and just plain fun in general.
They may have started out centuries ago, but the tradition still goes strong. A pinata can make any get together a “breaking” good time.
