In some traditions, the participant is turned thirty three times, one for each year of Christ's life. It was said that person with the stick is blindfolded to represent faith, and the turning, singing and shouting represent the disorientation that temptation creates. In this tradition, the seven points represent the seven deadly sins, the pot represents evil, and the seasonal fruit and candy inside the temptations of evil.

The Mexican Catholic interpretation assigned meanings related to the Catholic doctrine of struggle against temptation, and used for catechism purposes. The Augustinian monks there modified European piñatas and created the Las Posadas tradition to co-opt the celebration of the birth of Huitzilopochtli, which was celebrated in mid December. According to local records, the piñata was first used for the purposes of evangelism in 1586, in Acolman, in the modern State of Mexico, just north of Mexico City. When the pot was broken with a stick or club, the treasures inside would fall to the feet of the idol as an offering. Priests would decorate a clay pot with colorful feathers. The Aztec tradition commemorated the birthday of Huitzilopochtli. The Mayan tradition was similar to the modern piñata tradition, including blindfolding the participant hitting the piñata. The European piñata tradition was brought to Mexico in the 16th century however, there was a similar tradition in Mesoamerica already. The origin of the Italian word is thought to be linked to the Latin word pinea, 'pine cone'. As the word's Italian origin indicates, pignatta (also pignata and pignàta) meaning 'earthenware cooking pot', the Spanish initially used a plain clay container, before starting to decorate it with ribbons, tinsel and colored paper. The tradition arrived in Europe in the 14th century where it was associated with the Christian celebration of Lent in Spain, the First Sunday of Lent, 'Piñata Sunday', became a celebration known as the Dance of the Piñata. After the piñata was broken, the remains were burned and the ashes kept for good luck. It was filled with five types of seeds and then hit with sticks of various colors. It was decorated with symbols and colors meant to produce a favorable climate for the coming growing season. The Chinese version was in the shape of a cow or ox and used for the New Year. There is some debate but it appears that their origin is not Spanish but Chinese.

Statue of Franciscan friar hitting a piñata in Acolman, Mexico StateĪlthough today, piñatas are typically used for a fun activity at parties, their origins lie in other customs.

Piñata by Leopoldo Gout