Rite of flying

The rite of flying is a native Mesoamerican religious manifestation. Its origins date back to the Middle Preclassic Mesoamerican period, found representations of this ritual in the funeral ceramics of the cultures of the West (Colima, Jalisco and Nayarit). He then moved to other towns, most likely related to the gladiatorial sacrifice and fertility cults. Survives today among the Nahua and Totonac of the Sierra Norte de Puebla and Veracruz Totonacapan.

In 2009 he was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

A small wooden base, a cross, a pin (also called apple) that will unite and enable rotation, and an attached ladder: In celebration accompanied by dances and music a trunk or "flying stick" where several parts fit is used to the post. At the ends of the cross ropes holding the flying dancers symbolizing the cardinal directions, north, south, east and west, the foreman that represents the center stand.

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Sacred Mayan Journey

Sacred Mayan Journey, Riviera Maya: The Mayan land preserves an ancient tradition where the crossing is shown in rafts Xcaret to Cozumel to worship the goddess Ix Chel; for this we must be prepared physically and spiritually.

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Posadas

The Posadas are one of the most popular Mexican traditions. It is full of holiday games and songs where the breakdown of traditional piñatas stands. Are held from 16 to 24 December, with Christmas Eve, under which culminates in the December holidays season.

Las Posadas last nine days; begin on December 16 and terminal 24 of the same month on the eve of Christmas. These celebrations allude to the pilgrimage of St. Joseph and the Virgin Mary in search of an inn to rest.

Traditionally, party hosts take the role of innkeepers as guests, with lit candles, make the request inn at the entrance of the house singing to music verses, which are answered in the same way by the hosts, until the latter opens the door to start the party.

An essential element in Posadas are the piñatas. For craftsmanship are used for different designs and materials, but the most traditional piñata is one that represents a star, of which seven peaks or light rays symbolize the seven deadly sins are released.

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Burning Panzón

 San Pedro Cholula is known for its ancient traditions, and "The burning of panzon" is one of them.

This tradition has to do with what was done in the pyramid in terms of sacrifice. Today that sacrifice is something comical, is no longer a person, is a doll which has caractesticas ranging according to the butler.

For example the steward this year (2014) has shoemaker and the doll had stuff or characteristics of a shoemaker: the panzon this fruit filling which leaves an opening which represents the heart and us to eat us that apple, we carry out the sacrifice!

This tradition every year is carried out by the Santa María Xixitla.

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New Year's Rituals in Mexico

 There are an endless number of rituals, perhaps one for every Mexican family, and they’re passed on from generation to generation. 

Some rituals have religious backgrounds, like praying the rosary, attending mass before 12o’clock and lighting candles, but most have more to do with luck and good fortune.

Here are some of the most common:

According to tradition, before the end-of-the-year dinner, thoroughly cleaning the house is recommended  to get rid of bad vibes and to attract better things. 

Making a wish list is part of the year-end ritual; write them down and have them on hand for the rest of the year. 

When evening comes,  it’s customary to turn on each of the house lights so that, according to custom, prosperity and success radiate throughout the year. 

Preparing and decorating the table for dinner is also a ritual-filled process. The dinner is plentiful, with a great variety of flavors: sweet, strong, spicy and  sour...  and of course;beverages: both with and without alcohol. 

At the stroke of 12 midnight, it’s customary to ring a bell and ring it loudly. No home should be without this item for it symbolizes the home’s joy and happiness. 

While the bells are sounding,  everyone eats 12 grapes -- symbolizing the wishes for each month of the New Year. 

Immediately afterwards come the hugs and kisses session with relatives and friends, which represents  love and companionship for each other and for their loved ones. 

When a couple person receives hugs and kisses; they are assured that the year will be full of romance. 

Finally, a toast is made with sparkling wine because its bubbles represent the spark ofhappiness that you want to have all year long.

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Day of Candelaria

    In Mexico, the Candlemas Day is customary, who won hidden in the rosca de reyes child, make a party (traditionally based on tamales and atole, both products of maize This tradition has pre-Hispanic roots. In many villages the inhabitants lead to the ears church to be blessed to sow their seeds in the agricultural cycle that started since the February 2 coincides with the eleventh day of the first month of the ancient Aztec calendar, when celebrating some tlaloques gods according fray Bernardino de Sahagun. in the center of Mexico is customary to dress the baby Jesus the nativity scene and bring to Mass, after which it is placed in a niche where he remained the rest of the year.

The festival in honor of the Virgen de la Candelaria venerated in the village of La Candelaria, Coyoacán is distinguished by the color of his litter that date back to pre-Hispanic times. Made with natural flowers supported by a wooden structure, are mostly seen folk manner.

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Light Ceremony "Ceremonia de la Luz"

    More and more couples who decide to undertake some kind of symbolic ceremony that allows them to express even better the meaning of this union, and one of the most popular is the light, also known as the unit or ceremony ceremony candles.

This ritual symbolizes life in common that are starting to join their lives and their effort in a mutual project. The origin of this ritual is uncertain, but some think that originated in pagan tradition, while others argue that it is a heritage of the Protestant ceremonies.

It is important to know that light ceremony is not officially part of the Catholic ceremonies, so if you want to include it will be very important to talk first with the parent who officiate the wedding, if not in all churches accept. To perform this ritual need three candles: two small and one large. The two smaller candles symbolize their individual lives, and with them the largest candle lit to represent their new life together.

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Day of "La Santa Cruz"

       

In Mexico it is the traditional feast day of construction workers. The masons usually placed at the top of the facade of the building site, a wooden cross decorated with flowers and tissue paper, previously blessed by a priest.
This tradition dates back to the colonial period from the formation of guilds and as old chronicles was driven by Fray Pedro de Ghent.

This celebration was removed from the liturgical calendar by Pope John XXIII, however the construction workers of Mexico, continued to maintain that tradition alive.

The May 3 is the feast of the Holy Cross; ancient celebration that has its roots in the discovery of the tree upon which Christ died and that according to the story occurred in the fourth century of our era.

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"Las Calendas"

In Oaxaca the celebration of this festival, deep popular content, announces the arrival of Christmas. It is dedicated to those who will be godfathers of the Child Jesus, responsible for carrying in procession from the house to the neighborhood temple, accompanied by many people. Sometimes parishioners prepare a float for a parade that ends in the Cathedral, shortly before midnight. The end of the festival, which marks the placement of the Child Jesus in the manger birth is in each temple and houses.

The Merry calendas also used to celebrate a wedding or any other event.

It all starts on Friday night with calenda organized stewards, walk the streets and main avenues of the city accompanied by music of the town band, fireworks, lanterns and burning of traditional bull.

The custom ordered at least three days before Christmas, the godparents 'the child' home where he was placed at birth, will take performing a tribute to pray the rosary at 8:00 pm, attendees concluded that cigars, drinks and food are offered. 

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Hello again!

It´s me again, after a while I come to talk about ceremonies and traditions.

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Sign language for babies and children

Benefit: Reduces the frustration 

It is not difficult to teach your baby to communicate through gestures, but do need to have patience. And while your little only a few signs like "drink" (pointing thumb mouth), will soon notice the difference, as discovered mom Emma Finlay-Smith is learned: "The first sign we tried when Isabella was 11 months was that of 'drink.' at first I thought we were not paying attention, but after about one week, she sat playing with his toys when he looked at me and made me the sign. thought you said 'hello' then my husband realized that we were doing the sign for 'drink.' it was like when he took his first steps, he was as excited as us! as he learned more words, his frustration level decreased a lot. "

Benefit: Bring out your bond with your baby 

Mason's mother Sharon said to communicate by signs creates a special bond between her and her son Morgan, 16 months. "Morgan has a vocabulary of about 30 words and is starting to put together a sign comes over and tells me if the dog asleep (pointing down the first two fingers of both hands) or if you hear the sound of a plane (making the move to fly by hand). I love to know what you think. I also love to talk even if across the room. the other day in his play group noticed that it was getting a little anxious. Como could not easily get to where he was, he did from afar the sign for 'i love you' (hugging myself and looking at him). "

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Non-Verbal Communication

Excellent example of nonverbal communication in the video you can see the birds in situations like marking territory, personal space, emotions, gestures.

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