The Celebration of a Lifetime: What Is a Quinceanera?
Have you ever dreamed of being a princess for a day? It would be one spectacular day in which you could dress lavishly, enjoy the finest food, receive flowers, and dance with the partner of your dreams.
For many teenagers from Latin American cultures, this dream is a reality! When a Mexican or Latin American girl turns fifteen, she becomes a quinceanera. It’s like a birthday princess and debutante rolled into one!
What is a quinceanera? A traditional quinceanera is an over-the-top party that marks a girl’s coming of age. Read on to learn some quinceanera facts that will have you wishing you were about to turn fifteen!
What Is a Quinceanera?
A Quinceanera is a term used to describe both the birthday girl and the birthday party. Quince is the Spanish word for ‘fifteen,’ and the term comes from the phrase Quince Anos, or “fifteen years old.”
How Does a Quinceanera Work?
A quinceanera celebration lasts a full day, and can be almost as lavish as a wedding day! In fact, they both begin in a church.
In the case of a quinceanera, families attend a special mass called Misa de Accion de Gracias. During the mass, the family shows their gratitude that their little girl is becoming a woman at last.
Like a wedding, the party then moves to a banquet hall or outdoor venue, where the fun can begin! For several hours, families and friends feast and dance. The quinceanera is at the center of the celebration, which involves many specific traditions.
Quinceanera Traditions
Quinceanera traditions can vary depending on the specific culture of the birthday girl. Most of them originated in Mexico, where the custom began. Mexican teens have celebrated similarly since the late nineteenth century.
La Ultima Muñeca
La Ultima Muñeca literally translates to “the last doll.” On her fifteenth birthday, the quinceanera receives a doll as a gift. The doll is symbolically her last doll of childhood, as the quinceanera marks the shift to adulthood in the Mexican culture.
El Primer Ramo de Flores
El Primer Ramo de Flores literally translates to “the first flower bouquet.” The quinceanera accepts a bouquet that matches her dress and party theme. It is her first bouquet as a woman.
Fifteen Piñatas
During the celebration, the quinceanera will break fifteen pinatas – one for each year that she has been alive. Often they are small and full of a variety of candies and favors.
Quinceanera Fashion
One of the most significant elements of the quinceanera is fashion. Girls dress like princesses, in ornate gowns of their choice. Unlike a wedding dress, the gown can be any color, which often becomes the theme of the celebration!
Girls go in search of the best quinceanera dresses in the world in the hopes of looking incredible on their big day! For Mexican teens, the choice of a quince gown is more important than choosing a prom dress!
Sweet Fifteen and Never Been Kissed?
So, what is a quinceanera? It is an extravagant celebration that marks a girl’s coming of age in a beautiful, traditional fashion. This tradition means a lot to Latinx teens and fashion lovers alike!
Did this article make you want to celebrate yourself? Why not enjoy another article on the blog! It may not be fifteen pinatas, but it’ll be equally entertaining!
