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Traditions
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Holidays and Observances for 2010
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| January 01 | New Year's Day (Año Nuevo) | | January 06 | Epiphany (Día de los Santos Reyes) | | February 05 | Constitution day (Día de la Constitución) | | February 14 | Valentine's Day (Día de San Valentín) | | February 19 | Army's Day (Día del Ejército) | | February 24 | Flag Day (Día de la Bandera) | | March 18 | Anniversary of the Oil Expropriation (Aniversario de la Expropiación petrolera) | | March 21 | Benito Juárez's birthday (Natalicio de Benito Juárez) | | April 01 | Holy Thursday (Jueves Santo) | | April 02 | Good Friday (Viernes Santo) | | April 04 | Easter Sunday (Pascua de Resurrección) | | April 21 | Heroic Defense of Veracruz (Heroica Defensa de Veracruz) | | April 30 | Children's Day (Día del Niño) | | May 01 | Labor day (Día del Trabajo) | | May 05 | Cinco de Mayo (Batalla de Puebla) | | May 08 | Miguel Hidalgo's birthday (Natalicio de Miguel Hidalgo) | | May 10 | Mother's Day (Día de las Madres) | | May 15 | Teacher's Day (Día del Maestro) | | May 23 | Student's Day (Día del estudiante) | | June 01 | Marine's Day (Día de la Marina) | | June 20 | Father's Day (Día del Padre) | | September 13 | Boy Heroes (Día de los Niños Héroes) | | September 15 | Cry of Dolores (Grito de Dolores) | | September 16 | Independence Day (Día de Independencia) | | September 27 | End of Independence War (Consumación de la Independencia) | | September 30 | Morelos' birthday (Natalicio de José María Morelos y Pavón) | | October 12 | Columbus Day (Descubrimiento de América y Día de la Raza) | | November 01 | All Saints' Day (Day of the Dead) (Día de Todos los Santos) | | November 02 | All Souls' Day (Day of the Dead) (Día de los Fieles Difuntos) | | November 20 | Revolution day (Día de la Revolución) | | December 12 | Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe (Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe) | | December 16 | The Inns (December 16-24) (Las Posadas) | | December 24 | Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) | | December 25 | Christmas Day (Navidad) | | December 28 | Day of the Innocents (Día de los Santos Inocentes) |
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New! Mexico Calendars for 2011
Mexico National Geographic 2011 Wall Calendar | | Publisher: Zebra Publishing | | Description: Mexico National Geographic Wall Calendar: Founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1521, Mexico is one of the oldest continuously inhabited urban settlements in the Western Hemisphere. The land is embedded with fascinating history and inhabited by people with a rich and colorful culture. National Geographic Mexico 2011 explores and celebrates this vibrant country with an exquisite collection of photographs featuring regional beaches, cities, ruins and villages. Each photograph captures the local color of a different region. Included in this year's calendar: Isla Datil; Pyramid of the Niches at El Tajin; Mayan ruins, Tulum; Santa Prisca Cathedral, Taxco; San Miguel de Allende; Acapulco; Cayaquitos Beach; Pyramid of the Sun, Teotihuacan; Mexico City; Manzanillo; Cabo San Lucas; La Parroquia, Guanajuato. This twelve month calendar offers spacious grids with international holidays and moon phases. Earth friendly, printed with soya-based inks on FSC certified paper. National Geographic's net proceeds support vital exploration, conservation, research, and education. ... |
Click here to view the entire collection of 2011 Mexico Calendars
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Christmas Customs
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Mexico's Christmas traditions are based on Mexico's form of Roman Catholicism and popular culture traditions also called posadas. Over nine days, groups of townspeople go from door to door in a fashion reminiscent of when the parents of unborn baby Jesus looked for shelter to pass the night when they arrived at Bethlehem, and are periodically called inside homes to participate in the breaking of a gift-filled piñata.
Mexican Christmas is not influenced by American Christmas since it is filled with over 30 traditions found only within Mexican Christmas.
In many Mexican places, children receive gifts not on Christmas but on January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany, when, according to tradition, the Three Wise Men bring gifts not only to baby Jesus but also to children who have placed written requests in their shoes.
At midnight on Christmas, millions of families place the figure of baby Jesus in their nacimientos (Nativity scenes), as the symbolic representation of Christmas as a whole.
Mexican Christmas festivities start on December 12, with the birthday of La Guadalupana (Virgin of Guadalupe), and end on January 6, with the Epiphany. Children usually do not attend school on this date; and, when they go to their rooms, they find not only the toys but also that the Three Magic Kings have appeared at El Nacimiento.
Since the 1990s, Mexican society has embraced a new concept linking several celebrations around Christmastime into what is known as the Guadalupe-Reyes Marathon.
More information on Christmas worldwide
Las Posadas
Las Posadas (Spanish for "The Inns") is a nine-day celebration beginning December 16 and ending December 24. It is a yearly tradition for many Christian Latin Americans and symbolizes the trials which they believe Mary and Joseph endured before finding a place to stay and where Jesus could be born. It is a very important Christmas tradition for them.
Las Posadas represents the troubles that Joseph and Mary faced in finding a room when traveling to Bethlehem. In it, groups of children and adults go from house to house singing a traditional song requesting lodging (posada). In each house, the owner responds with refusal (also in song), until they reach the designated site for the party, where the owner recognizes Mary and Joseph and allows them to come in. Latin American countries have continued to celebrate this holiday to this day, with very few changes to the tradition.
These Posadas are a re-enactment of the search by Jesus's two parents, Joseph and Mary for lodging prior to Jesus' birth. Typically, each family in a neighborhood will schedule a night for the Posada to be held at their home, starting on the 16th of December and finishing on the 24th.
More information on Las Posadas
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New! Spanish Christmas Word Search Puzzle
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Print and solve the new Spanish Christmas Word Search Puzzle. Search for words vertically, diagonally, horizontally and backwards. Click here to open a new browser window - use the browser's Print option to print puzzle.
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Arrangement of Mixed Seasonal Flowers
Send flowers to Mexico and
Make someone feel special today! Send them the gift of flowers. Internet Florist, Home of the Flower People.
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Day of the Dead
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Photo of a candy skull made of sugar, a common gift and decoration for the Day of the Dead in Mexico.
Image courtesy of Nathaniel C. Sheetz
The Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos in Spanish) is a holiday celebrated mainly in Mexico and by people of Mexican heritage (and others) living in the United States and Canada. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and relatives who have died. The celebration occurs on the 1st and 2nd of November, in connection with the Catholic holy days of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day which take place on those days. Traditions include building private altars honoring the deceased, using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts. Observance of the holiday in Mexican-American communities in the United States has become more important and widespread as the community grows numerically and economically.
In most regions of Mexico, November 1st honors deceased children and infants where as deceased adults are honored on November 2nd. This is indicated by generally referring to November 1st mainly as "Día de los Inocentes" (Day of the Innocents) but also as "Día de los Angelitos" (Day of the Little Angels) and November 2nd as "Día de los Muertos" or "Día de los Difuntos" (Day of the Dead).
More information on Day of the Dead
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Quinceañera
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The Quinceañera or Quince años is, in Europe and the Americas, a young woman's celebration of her fifteenth birthday, which is commemorated in a unique and different way from her other birthdays. It is sometimes represented "15 years." Only a few countries call the actual party "treceanera."
Mis Quince Años Heart-Shaped Kneeling Pillow
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Quinceañera kneeling pillow is a traditional part of an extra-special day
White satin with gold and lace trim, embroidered with "Mis Quince Años"
Heart-shaped kneeling pillow
A treasured keepsake for years to come
16Lx19W"
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Mis Quince Años Satin Guestbook - White
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Remember all of the visitors on your special day in this beautiful guestbook
White satin-covered guestbook
Beautiful lace trim
Embroidered in goldtone thread with "Mis Quince Aņos"
11Lx11W"
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In the Mexican tradition, the celebration is a festive gathering with relatives and friends. Sometimes a church mass is celebrated in honor of the birthday girl. The "Quinceaños" celebration to the Mexicans, marks the transition from girlhood to womanhood.
Mis Quince Años Satin Bible - White
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A very meaningful Quinceañera gift and keepsake
White satin-covered Catholic Bible
Beautiful lace trim
Embroidered in goldtone thread with "Mis Quince Años"
7Lx5.5Wx0.75D"
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Mis Quince Años Satin Photo Album - White (12x12")
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Treasure your Quinceañera photos forever in this special album
White satin-covered album
Beautiful lace trim
Embroidered in goldtone thread with "Mis Quince Años"
12Lx12W"
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The girl's court is sometimes made up of all girls (Las damas) or all boys, although it is not mandatory to have a court. The Quinceañera's partner for the night, is referred to as the "Chambelan". In some traditions the so-called "Quinceañera" has godparents to pay for certain things, like the dress, cake, music, limousines, church, flowers and decorations, etc.
More information on Quinceañera
Mis Quince Años Doll with 15" Arch
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Spectacular Quinceañera doll; stands on a platform underneath a 15" arch with gold trim
Pretty dark-haired doll symbolizes the transition from girl to young woman
A treasured keepsake of a special day and a traditional part of the ceremony
Beautiful embroidered satin gown reads "Mis Quince Años"
26Hx18.5Wx12D"
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Satin Mis Quince Años 5-pc. Set - White"
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Treasure your Quinceañera memories forever with this special set
Each piece is covered with white satin and trimmed with white lace
Embroidered in goldtone with "Mis Quince Años"
Set includes a photo album, guestbook and Bible
Also includes heart-shaped kneeling and tiara pillows
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| New! Collectibles from Mexico |
Preview our selection of traditional pottery, ceramics, porcelain, art glass from Mexico, including: Casas Grandes, Mara Pottery, Mata Ortiz, Mexican Talavera, Tlaquepaque, Tonala, and more....
Click here to see all collectibles from Mexico |
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Folk Art
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Oaxacan Carving of a Flamingo by the Angeles Family
Mexico is known worldwide for its folk art traditions, mostly derived from the indigenous and Spanish crafts. Particularly notable among handicrafts are the clay pottery made in the valley of Oaxaca and the bird and animal figures made in the village of Tonalá. Colorfully embroidered cotton garments, cotton or wool shawls and outer garments, and colorful baskets and rugs are seen everywhere.
More information on Culture of Mexico
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The Spanish Birthday Song
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Folk Dance and Song
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Mariachi is a type of musical group, originally from Cocula, Jalisco, Mexico. Usually a mariachi consists of at least three violins, two trumpets, one Mexican guitar, one vihuela (a high-pitched, five-string guitar) and one guitarrón (a small-scaled acoustic bass). They dress in silver studded charro outfits with wide-brimmed hats.
Mariachi en la ciudad de Guadalajara, Jalisco, México.
Image courtesy of Gerardo Gonzalez
Although mariachis are hired to play at events such as weddings and other formal occasions, such as a quinceañera (a girl's fifteenth birthday celebration), they are very often used to serenade women because many of the songs in a typical repertoire have as a theme the desire to touch the heart of the opposite sex. Some of the songs are sad; others are about how much that special someone appreciates your company. Trios of mariachis can be found for hire in different places at night (the best known venues are Plaza de los Mariachis in Guadalajara and Plaza Garibaldi in Mexico City) for the purposes of serenading. Mother's days are also another popular occasion for mariachis.
More information on Mariachi
The Danza de los Voladores de Papantla (Dance of Papantla's flyers) is a ritualistic dance in Veracruz, Mexico performed by the Totonac Indians. Five men, each representing the five elements of the indigenous world climb atop a pole, one of them stays on the pole playing a flute and dancing while the remaining four descend the pole with a rope tied by one of their feet. The rope unwraps itself 13 times for each of the four flyers, symbolizing the 52 weeks of the
year.
Performance of the Voladores in the central park of Chapultepec in Mexico City, next to the National Museum of Anthropology and History.
Image courtesy of Fernando González del Cueto
According to legend, a long drought covered the Earth so five men decided to send Xipe Totec, the God of fertility a message, asking them for the rain to return. They went to the forest and looked for the straightest tree, cut it, and took it back to their town. They removed all branches and placed it on the ground, then dressed themselves as feet/birds and descended flying attempting to grab their God's attention.
More information on Danza de los Voladores de Papantla
Jarabe Tapatio in the Traditional China Poblana Dress.
Photo courtesy of the Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago.
The Jarabe Tapatío, known in English as the Mexican hat Dance, is the title of the musical piece and the dance that accompanies it, which is accorded the title of the "national dance of Mexico". In the Spanish language, jarabe is a sort of dance, and the adjective tapatío indicates something from Guadalajara, Jalisco.
The dance tells the story of love and courtship. It can be performed either by a couple or a group of couples. A charro, dressed in the traditional "charro suit", a three-piece suit composed of a vest, jacket, and pants bearing silver buttons down the seam), makes initial courtship gestures to la china (wearing the traditional China Poblana outfit). They flirt throughout the beginning of the dance, during which time the man attempts to woo the woman with his zapateado (stamping and tapping) and his machismo. Just as he has impressed the woman, he becomes "drunk" with glory, and is shooed away as a "borracho" (an inebriate), but ultimately, he succeeds in "conquering" the china, throwing his hat to the ground and kicking his leg over his partner's head as she bends down to pick it up. The two do a triumphant march to a military tune called a diana, and the dance ends with a romantic turn or the couple hiding their faces behind the man's sombrero in a feigned kiss.
More information on Jarabe tapatío
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Send a Spanish E-Greeting from Yahoo
(in Spanish)
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Bullfighting in Mexico
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Click on bells for some Mariachi music
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Wedding Customs
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