Colorful papel picado is often displayed on Día de los Muertos altars and represents the union between life and death. This delicate tissue paper also signifies the fragility of life as it is ephemeral, as well as the element of wind.
Papel picado literally means 'punched' or 'perforated' paper. This traditional cut paper folk art is found throughout Mexico and the former colonies of Spain as well as in the folk traditions of many other countries.
Green: It is the color that refers to young souls. Yellow: Used to remind elderly spirits. Black: Refers to the color of the underworld and the special connection that the Day of the Dead has. Mexican pink: Being a representative color of the culture of Mexico, it refers to the national roots.
The colorful papel picado–which is a decorative craft made out of tissue paper cut into elaborate designs–represents air because it is light and it moves with the wind. Fruits and flowers represent the element of the earth.
Perforated Paper (papel picado)
“The holes allow a way for souls to travel through and visit,” López Fértor says. It's also believed that the delicate nature of the paper is symbolic of the fragility of life.
Papel picado is a traditional Mexican craft that features colorful paper sheets with intricate cut-out details. It was made by stacking many sheets of paper and using chisels to cut the designs. You can easily make your own papel picado by layering sheets of tissues paper and using scissors.
Traditionally, the bright colors of the paper had different meanings: Orange signified mourning, blue was for those who drowned, yellow was for the elderly deceased and green for those who died young.
PAPEL PICADO, which means cut or perforated paper, is a decorative storytelling craft made out of tissue paper or vinyl “cut” into ornamental designs.
Creating your Altar
The altar includes the four main elements of nature – Earth, Wind, Water and Fire.
"Ofrendas" can be made several levels. 2 LEVELS represent the division between the earth and the sky. 3 LEVELS represent the sky, the earth and the underworld. 7 LEVELS are the most common and relate to the seven levels that a soul must traverse before reaching heaven (or hell).
Colorful papel picado is often displayed on Día de los Muertos altars and represents the union between life and death. This delicate tissue paper also signifies the fragility of life as it is ephemeral, as well as the element of wind.
Papel picados are commonly displayed for both secular and religious occasions, such as Easter, Christmas, the Day of the Dead, as well as during weddings, quinceañeras, baptisms, and christenings.
Papel picado is now used in modern-day altars. They include images of skulls or flower designs. The paper comes in many colors, but purple is said to represent mourning and yellow signifies purity.
Wrap the string at one end of the garland twice around a piece of strong clear sellotape or a command strip, and stick in position on a wall/a beam/a curtain rail etc, or tie the string to a tack nailed into the wall/a beam/a tree etc. Now do the same at the other end of the garland.
This traditional Mexican form of celebration has been used for hundreds of years, with its origins dating all the way back to Aztec culture. Today, colorful sheets of thin paper are still intricately cut by hand in a few places, but mass production has made papel picado accessible for any celebration.
Papel picado is a decorative craft made out of paper cut into intricate designs, often used in Mexican celebrations such as Dia de los Muertos and Cinco de Mayo.
Altar should be always placed on east side of house or room. Mantra for good health, Feng shui tips, Feng shui. AnupamaNahar/Ranawat.
Typically, tissue paper is used to make papel picado, but rice paper or silk paper can also be used.
Origin and History of Papel Picado
The origins of papel picado can be traced back to Chinese culture (the paper known as China paper), and it has been used in Europe since the 16th century. During the 19th century, Mexican peons were forced to shop at haciendas for their goods and among them was Chinese paper.
Papel picado (punched paper) is a Mexican popular art form with roots in the country's ancient cultures. The Aztecs used the bark of wild mulberry and fig trees to make a rough paper called amatl . Amatl was used to make flags and banners to decorate temples, streets and homes.
Papel picado, or traditional paper banners, represent the wind. Earth is represented by food, especially bread. Candles are often left in the form of a cross to represent the cardinal directions, so the spirits can find their way. Every state in Mexico has its own particular way of setting up their ofrendas.
In Mexico, papel picado is commonly used for Día de Muertos, and for national holidays such as Mexican Independence Day on September the 16th, religious festivities, street parties, weddings, birthday parties...just about any Mexican fiesta!
If you've seen Coco you might remember the stunning opening sequence that was told on animated pieces of paper. That's called Papel Picado, and it's a type of Mexican folk art that used to decorate the altars during Dia de los Muertos, as well as other occasions.