Papel picado

Origins and history

The craft traces its roots to precolonial Aztec traditions, where people carved spirit figures into bark paper known as amate. This practice evolved significantly after the mid-nineteenth century when Mexican communities began using imported tissue paper found at hacienda stores. San Salvador Huixcolotla in Puebla is widely recognized as the birthplace of modern papel picado. Local craftsmen adapted colorful China paper to create intricate patterns, eventually replacing scissors with chisels for greater precision. By the early twentieth century, the art form spread from this town to other regions like Tlaxcala and Mexico City, eventually reaching the United States and Europe by the 1960s.

Making the banners

Artisans typically work entirely by hand, stacking between forty and fifty sheets of tissue paper together. They secure the stack with staples and place a transparent plastic sheet over a drawn design to protect the original artwork. Using small mallets and variously shaped chisels, they punch through the entire stack simultaneously. This method allows them to produce multiple identical copies efficiently. Once cut, the individual sheets are separated and strung together with thread or attached to wooden dowels. While tissue paper remains the primary material, some makers use rice or silk paper, and occasionally employ scissors or craft knives for different effects.

Symbolism and meaning

Each design carries specific weight depending on the occasion. During the Day of the Dead, skull patterns hang above ofrendas, representing the element of air alongside fire, water, and earth. Christmas banners feature red or green paper with images of angels, baby Jesus, or bells. Wedding decorations mimic white lace using doves, hearts, and churches. Beyond celebration, shamans create custom figures to help individuals improve relationships, boost crops, or seek guidance. These special pieces are placed on family altars or in specific locations believed to amplify their intended influence on the person's life journey.

Modern recognition

The Ministry of Tourism and Culture officially supports this folk art as an important part of Mexican heritage. In 1998, the governor of Puebla declared the style produced in San Salvador Huixcolotla as part of the state's cultural patrimony. Contemporary artists continue to innovate while preserving traditional techniques. Figures like Olga Ponce Furginson and Carmen Lomas Garza have gained international acclaim, exhibiting their work in major museums such as the Smithsonian. Their efforts ensure that this vibrant craft remains a living tradition rather than a historical relic, adapting to new audiences while honoring its deep roots.

How Papel picado is kept

Artisans gather stacks of colored tissue paper, often layering forty to fifty sheets at once. They pin a template underneath and use chisels and mallets to punch out designs through the entire bundle. After separating the sheets, they string the perforated banners together for display. Families and communities hang these creations across alleyways, inside homes, and on altars during festivals like the Day of the Dead, Christmas, and weddings. Shamans also create specific figures for personal spiritual needs, placing them on altars to influence health or prosperity.

When and where

It appears during major holidays including the Day of the Dead, Christmas, and Fiestas Patrias. It also marks life-cycle events such as weddings, baptisms, and quinceañeras. The timing depends entirely on the community calendar and personal milestones rather than a single fixed date.

The craft originated in San Salvador Huixcolotla, Puebla, which remains its central hub. It spread to other Mexican cities like Tlaxcala and Mexico City by the mid-twentieth century. Today, it is also practiced in the United States, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations like Los Angeles and San Antonio.

What Papel picado means

The banners serve as visual prayers and festive markers. Skulls honor ancestors during the Day of the Dead, representing the air element. White lace-like patterns celebrate new unions in weddings. Custom shamanic figures act as conduits for personal wishes regarding health, agriculture, or relationships. The colors and shapes chosen directly reflect the specific intention behind each hanging, turning ordinary paper into meaningful objects.

Days Papel picado is marked

Questions people ask about Papel picado

See also

ChristmasA festival of Jesus's birth, kept on 25 December with gifts, lights and shared mealsHalloweenAn annual observance on 31 October marking the eve of All Saints' Day, rooted in Christian tradition and Celtic heritageChristmas treeA decorated evergreen or artificial tree placed indoors to mark the Christmas season.HanukkahAn eight-day Jewish festival marking the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of a single day'

Good reading and sources

• Papel picado on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-04.