By

tradition, it is a clay pot covered with

colorful tissue paper.

In

present day piatas can be made

with cardboard and paper Mache.

Contains:

fruits, candy, and little toys.

It

is hanged to be hit with a pole by

someone who is blind folded while
others sing a traditional piata song.

When

the piata breaks, every one can

pile up to pick up the goodies.

 Attributed

to China
New Year celebration
Believed

to be brought to Europe by Marco Polo.

Started associating it with religion (Lent).
Piatas

in America
Aztecs had a similar tradition which they used to honor the god
of war.
Spanish Missionaries used the similarities of these tow
traditions to teach Christian religion.

Piatas

represent the fight between men

and the seven deadly sins in Christianity.
Pot- Evil.
7 points- 7 deadly sins (Envy, Greed, Lust,
Sloth, Gluttony, Anger).

Pole-

The strength in virtue that destroys

evil.
Brilliant colors- Temptation from evil.
The person who breaks it- The
destruction of evil.
Blind fold- Faith.
Candy and fruit- Gods grace.

In

Mexico piatas are still used mainly

during religious festivities such as lent and
Christmas.
Mexico, the United States, and other
counties also use piatas for birthday
celebrations and other festivities.
Piatas can be found in any form and
made with a variety of materials.
Popular piatas have forms of movie
characters and animals.

Winner

of the popular piata contest in 2014 in Mexico