LA QUINCEANERA DE: AshLEy, KAItLyN, LAURA
Tradition of the Quinceañera Tradition de la Quinceañera differs from family and region, also the social and economical statues. The Quinceañera does not just begin when the fiesta begins but any were from dos anos to 4 months from the day. The key components of the traditional Quinceañera celebration are as follows. The dress of the Quinceañera is one of the most stunning details and traditionally is white signifying her purity. Pale pink is also a very common and favorite color. The Quinceañera begins the celebration with a Misa de acción de gracias, where she is be accompanied by her full court, consisting of 14 damas, 14 chambelans, as well as her personal chambelan (escort) for the evening. During the mass, there are children who act to place the pillow she will kneel upon at the altar, sprinkle flowers in her path as she makes her way to the altar. At the end of the ceremony the children pass out bolos or small gifts to those who attended the mass as the Quinceañera places her bouquet upon the altar of the for the Virgin Maria. A headpiece is worn during the Mass. Her parents or Godparents exchange the headpiece with a tiara or crown and she is handed a scepter as well during the mass of thanksgiving. The headpiece symbolizes a princess before god and the scepter is used to symbolize the passing on of adult responsibilities and a sign of the corresponding authority. Once the mass has ended, the party moves over to the party, usually held in a reception hall. The dance of the Quinceañera commences with a Waltz with her father followed by her chambelan. There is usually a toast in honor of the Quinceañera where all in attendance have the opportunity to wish her well and make a toast. The cake is a masterpiece by any standards and usually is ornately decorated with miniature statues of the Quinceañera and her full court. The cake is usually multi-tiered and beautifully decorated. When the Quinceañera enters the festivities, she enters wearing flat shoes. These zapatos are worn during the misa de accion de gracias and to the party. At her entrance to the party, the young girl’s father changes her shoes from flat shoes to high heals, symbolizing her changing into a woman and she leaves wearing those shoes. At this point, she is often gifted with a pair of earrings to serve as a reminder to listen to the word of God and the world around her. It also serves to remind her to hear and respond to the happenings in her life. A ring or bracelet is given symbolizing the never-ending circle of life, the unending stages of womanhood and the ability to make future contributions. Finally, a porcelain doll is present, usually wearing a matching dress to that of the Quinceañera. This usually draws an end to the formal celebration of the Quinceañera.
A Bit of History Historically speaking, Quinceanera traditions date back to ancient Mexican society. The origins can be traced back to the Aztecs in 500BC where it was used as a form of initiation to instruct and reinforce important cultural ideals. These days, turning fifteen years of age is acknowledged with the Quinceanera and the ceremony is a reaffirmation of the baptismal vows made by her parents. Now, as then, a candle is lit during the ceremony to signify this. Cute Traditions One of the sweetest and most popular Quinceanera traditions is when the young lady gets to dance with her father in front of everyone. Usually a very special song will be chosen, often with Spanish lyrics, and many a father has found himself teary on the dance floor with his newly come-of-age daughter. The young lady celebrating her Quinceanera will make a presentation of a porcelain doll to her younger sister, symbolizing the last of her toys, another representation of moving forward toward adulthood. According to Sandra Aguirre, after the presentation of the doll, the mother of the Quinceañera walks onto the dance floor holding the girl's first pair of heels on a satin pillow. The Quinceañera, who has been wearing flat shoes throughout the day, takes a seat and her mother kneels before her. She then removes her daughter's shoes and places the heels on her feet. This act symbolizes the debutante's departure from childhood and she now steps out into the world as a woman. The Quinceañera then takes the hand of her chambelán and they dance a traditional waltz with the court joining in soon after. After a while during this waltz, the chambelán hand the Quinceañera to her father for part of the waltz, and the escort dances with her mother. The father then escorts the Quinceañera to her godfather who, after a whirl or two, gives her back to her chambelán. After the waltz is over, the lights dim and the dance is open to everyone. TRADITIONAL QUINCEANERA GIFTS There are some essentials for a traditional Quinceañera and then there are accessories that make the occasion seem like a fantasy for the evening. This is a list of items and meanings that are
traditionally included Traditional gifts for the Quinceañera Tiara: The Tiara symbolizes a princess before God. This usually replaces a blessed during the festivities.
headpiece worn by Quinceañera until she is
Scepter: A Scepter is placed in the hand of the Quinceañera to symbolize her taking on adult goes with her new position in the
roles as well as the authority that family and society.
Prayer Book or Bible: A prayer book or Bible is given to the Quinceañera as a resource to keep the word of God in her life. A Ring or Bracelet is given to symbolize the never-ending circle of life, the never-ending cycle of womanhood as well as symbolic of her future contributions. Earrings: Earrings are given to remind her to keep her ears in tune to the voice of God.
Medallion: A medallion may be given to the Quinceañera as a symbol of her faith or as a reminder of her Quinceañeras celebration.
A Rosario: A Rosario or Rosary Beads are often given in combination with the bible as a useful tool in prayer life of any young Catholic Woman. Accessories: Bouquet: Used if a mass service is held to place at the Altar of the Virgin Maria as a gift of thanksgiving. Headpiece: A headpiece is worn as an
adornment until replaced by the Tiara. Quinceañera Doll: A Quinceañera Doll is used to hold ribbons with the Quinceañeras name and the date of her birth imprinted upon them, to be passed out as bolos to guests who attended the reception. The doll traditionally is given away to a young female member of the family as symbolic of passing on childish ways to the younger generations as she takes her place amongst the other women in her family. More commonly now it is saved as a souvenir of the event.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art40431.asp http://www.quinceanera-boutique.com/quinceanera-traditions-pg-6.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quincea%C3%B1era http://www.quinceaneraparty.com/traditions.html\