US Postal Service Unveils Commemorative Piñata Stamps: The U.S. Postal Service has released a new set of unique postage stamps. These stamps honor a tradition that has deep roots worldwide and has become a worldwide sign of joy.
There is a bright picture of a piata on each of these four new stamps. They came out in the United States during a month-long celebration of Hispanic roots. The reveal occurs at the same time as a New Mexico event every year. Hand-made pietas are broken open every hour at this event so kids can learn how to make their own.
Piatas have become a symbol of parties, but they have a long and complicated history that goes back to trade routes between Latin America and Asia in the 1600s and the efforts of Spanish missionaries to bring Christianity to Indigenous communities. These first preachers told Bible stories to people all over the New World through dance, music, and the arts, like making pietas.
Las Posadas is a holiday in Mexico and other Latin American countries that happens in December to honor the birth of Christ. Piatas became an important part of Las Posadas. Cesáreo Moreno, the head of the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago, says that the classic designs with a seven-pointed star and a burro (a donkey) show their religious roots.
Moreno said, “Those first missionaries were very creative about how they wanted to teach the Indigenous people about the Bible stories.” “The Nativity sets, the pietas, and the posadas all worked well. They worked so well that they became a part of the culture of Mexico.
The Mexican and Hispanic communities in Chicago, San Antonio, and Los Angeles still have these traditional ties. “Culture can go as far as it wants. Every time a group of people gets together, they bring their culture with them. “They take it with them, and the piata is no different,” Moreno said.
People in Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico have turned their kitchens and sheds into makeshift workshops where they make unique shapes for birthdays and other special events. Huge figures hang from the roof and line the walls of Albuquerque’s Casa de Piatas. Francisco Rodrguez is the owner of a shop. For more than half of his life, he has given life to superheroes, dragons, sea creatures, and other things. He puts together a simple glue from flour, water, and strips of old newspapers.
ALSO READ: US Military Warns of ISIS Resurgence: Amid Escalating Syrian Civil War
Rodrguez hopes that younger people will keep making pietas. Still, he knows that many older people who used to make piatas have retired or closed their shops. He also fears that as the world becomes more digital, it will be harder to find things like newspapers.
Pietas have changed in many ways over the years. The ollas on piatas today aren’t made of clay and don’t break with a loud pop. They also don’t have the pieces that used to fall to the ground when kids ran to get tangerines, sugar cane, and candy.
Victor Meléndez, the man who made these stamps, grew up in Mexico City. That’s where he got the idea for them. During the Las Posadas holiday, he, his uncles, and other family members made piatas. His mother also made pietas for birthdays, which made for happy times he will never forget. Meléndez got the idea for the stamps from the bright colors in Mexican homes, like bright pinks, deep blues, yellows, and oranges.
For the third year, the U.S. Postal Service has made a set of stamps that honor Hispanic culture. In the past, mariachi music and Day of the Dead traditions have been on record.
Meléndez said that making these stamps was his dream job. He is known for his drawings and designs for Starbucks. He likes to gather stamps and appreciates the art on them. He hopes these new stamps will get people talking and push them to learn about other cultures. He thinks this will help people better understand each other and lead to happier, less tense relationships.
Our Reader’s Queries
What is the best selling commemorative US stamp?
The 29-cent Elvis Presley stamp, released in 1993, remains the top-selling U.S. commemorative stamp of all time.
What is the issue of a commemorative stamp?
Special postage stamps are released to honor significant events, influential individuals in different industries, elements of the natural world, stunning or uncommon plants and animals, environmental concerns, farming practices, domestic and global affairs, sports, and more.
Are any forever stamps collectible?
eBay offers a wide selection of Forever Stamps in different denominations and styles, including rare collectible editions that may hold more value than their original price. Whether you’re a stamp enthusiast or just in need of postage, there are plenty of options to choose from.
What is the oldest stamp in the United States?
The 5c Franklin and 10c Washington original models from 1847 are some of the earliest United States postage stamps. They were first approved for use on July 1, 1847, as shown by the postmark on the cover below, which was sent the following day.