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Traditions Many traditions regarding Quinceaneras have been handed down through the generations. Modern families have initiated new customs that have been generally adopted and have also become tradition. But all Quinceaneras have one thing in common, the church service or mass. Before a young lady can have a mass celebrating her 15th birthday, she must have been baptized, taken her first communion, and in many cases, been confirmed. It is at the church that her friends and relatives first see her dressed up in her ensemble of clothes, accessories and symbolic gifts. |
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The headpiece the young lady wears represents the Crown of Life which the bible promises to faithful Christians. The ring she wears symbolizes the tie of commitment that exists between the young lady and Christ. The flowers she carries represent life, and flowers are the young lady's offering to God. In her presentation she offers her youth to God. For many young ladies, these symbolic objects are gifts from sponsors, or padrinos. Sponsors are selected by the parents who are expected to provide specific gifts. In the past the celebrations included padrinos de velacion who paid for the mass; the madrina de anillo gave the young girl a birthstone ring; the madrina de medalla gave her a medal with the image of her patron saint; the madrina de libro y rosario presented her with a rosary and missal. From a Spanish custom came the madrina de abanico who presented the honoree with a white lace fan. The honoree also received a beautiful tiara and mantilla from the madrina de diadema (diadem) and a white satin cushion from the madrina de cojin. Most of the expense was borne by the parents. Nowadays, for most celebrations, the padrinos pay for the majority of the celebration. Many parents today don't feel it necessary to overburden the sponsors, and they pay the cost of most items. In addition to the traditional gifts, padrinos are expected to pay for the church decorations, the reception hall, the musician, and mariachi. Other gifts such a bracelet, watch, gloves, handkerchief, shoes, earrings, flower bouquet, invitations, photography, videos, cake server and knife, and guest book are also provided by padrinos. A most recent addition is a surprise gift which is given by a sibling. Another tradition is having fourteen friends to serve as attendants for the honoree. The young lady selects fourteen of her best friends to be her damas who are escorted by their chamberlains to be in her court. A procession of fourteen girls enters the church, each representing a year in the life of the Quinceanera or honoree. The fifteen-year-old whose birthday is being marked enters last and walks to the front of the sanctuary where she is greeted by her pastor. This symbolizes the central focus of the ritual and the community's support for an affirmation of an important life passage for one of its members. The Quinceanera reads a certain verse from the Bible along with the damas and chamberlains. The priest blesses the honoree in the presence of her damas and attendants. Much of this tradition has been retained. In the past, a dinner was held at the honoree's home after the Mass. The feast was held under portales (lattice-type roof) built especially for the celebrations. The menu consisted of cabrito, picadillo, mole, and arroz. Fruit punch, lemonade, or tea was also served. Now instead of the traditional dinner after Mass, a buffet-style dinner is hosted by the honoree's parents for the attendants after the rehearsal. Another dinner can be held a week before the quinceanera for the padrinos and immediate family. Traditionally, after the feast a dance was held in the patio to the music of a conjunto. The first dance was danced by the honoree and her father. After this, everyone joined in the dance, which continued until midnight. After the Mass, the young lady and her court go to the reception hall where a dance is held in her honor. The honoree's court consists of the fourteen damas and chamberlains who form two lines awaiting the entrance of the honoree. After the honoree's court has been introduced, behind them enter the padrinos who are also introduced. Then the honoree enters with her escort and introduced to the guests. At the reception, sandwiches, cake, hojarascas (pan de polvo), mints, peanuts, and fruit punch are served. The cake consists of fourteen smaller cakes which form a diamond. On each cake is a small figurine of a dama, and on the very top sits a bigger cake which represents the honoree, usually topped with a larger doll representing the birthday girl. In modern Quinceaneras, the honoree and her court create an individual dance based on different themes such as circle of family, Cinderella, western, or their own unique dance presentation to fit the personality of the family. Before the first dance, a brindis (toast) is made by the honoree's parents, padrinos, damas and chamberlains. Everyone at the reception joins in the toast. After the dance presentation, the honoree dances with her father to her favorite waltz or vice versa.While the honoree is dancing the first dance with the father, the padrinos, damas, and their chamberlains join them in the waltz. After the first dance the other guests join in. Between 9:30 P.M. and 10 P.M., the guests are invited to partake in the cake, pan de polvo, and punch. The dance continues until midnight. Throughout the entire celebration pictures are taken of the honoree and her parents, court, sponsors, and other close relatives. Because this is a traditional Hispanic event for a fifteen year-old, everyone looks forward to this celebration which marks a young girl's passage into womanhood. | ||||