MEXICAN CULTURE: 20 POPULAR CHARACTERISTICS AND TRADITIONS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The Mexican culture is a product of the mix of indigenous practices and traditions with the Spanish colonial presence that impacted so heavily in all areas of life. It is therefore influenced by Spanish traditions, of pre-Hispanic cultures, as well as by the United States, due to its geographical proximity.

There has been a constant struggle on the part of Mexicans throughout history to define and promote Mexican identity. Yet with so much political instability, wars with the United States and France, and colonial occupation, Mexican society has often struggled to form a cohesive identity.

Mariachis are one of the most important traditions of Mexican culture

The characteristics of Mexican culture belong to an enormously diverse domain that encompasses great differences in identity. The variety of influences throughout Mexican history, from the ancient Mayan civilization to the dominating European presence, has come to define the exciting country that Mexico is today.

As such, Mexican art and literature have also had a tumultuous history. There is a wide range of wonderfully preserved Mayan and Aztec buildings and many of their traditions have been preserved.

However, with the effects of colonization, much of Mexican literature borrowed techniques and ideas from Europe.

It was not until the post-revolutionary period that the arts in Mexico began to develop their own unique characteristics and soon evolved into some of the most celebrated figures in international art and literature.

Outstanding characteristics and traditions of the culture of Mexico

1- Courtesy

Your manners are important. In Mexico, if someone is invited by a family to their home, it is traditional to bring flowers. The host will also make it a priority that the guest is welcome and comfortable.

Talking out loud is also rude behavior and care must be taken not to hurt the other person with words.

2- Festivity of May 5

Although it is not a recognized holiday in Mexico, May 5 is a memorable date in the history of this country.

On this day in 1862 the brave Mexican army defeated the invading French forces (the most powerful army of the time) at the Battle of Puebla. The anniversary of the unlikely victory is celebrated sporadically in Mexico.

Demographic changes have transformed the date into a cultural festival where Mexican culture is celebrated with festivals, food and drinks. On May 5 it was embraced in the United States as a way to create pride among Mexican Americans.

3- New Year's rituals

Some Mexican New Year's Eve rituals have a religious background, while others are simply curious.

Each is passed down from generation to generation and they share a common intention to awaken hope for better days. Here are some ways to celebrate the New Year according to Mexicans:

• Lentils are spread around the door as a symbol of abundance. Some eat a handful of lentils.
• Placing a coin in a shoe or pocket is thought to attract economic prosperity.
• Swept to the outside of the house, taking away all that was bad from the previous year. Overall, a thorough house cleaning gets rid of bad vibes and makes room for better things to come.
• It is customary to turn on every light in the house in the evening to radiate prosperity and success in the New Year.
• Make a handwritten wish list for the New Year and keep it on hand for the rest of the year.
• It is traditional to eat 12 grapes when the countdown begins to welcome the New Year. Each grape represents a wish.
• He spills a glass of water outside the house and on the street to expel the tears, worries and negativity from his home and life.

4- Day of the Dead

A two-day national holiday in Mexico, Dia de los Muertos is held to honor and remember deceased loved ones.

November 1, or All Saints' Day, is dedicated to young children who have passed away, known as little angels or "little angels." November 2, or All Saints' Day, is a day to remember older family and friends.

Contrary to popular belief, Dia de los Muertos is not the spooky counterpart to Halloween. It is a day of happiness and love rather than sadness and fear.

The celebrations are bright and joyous, not morbid. The family altars are gaily decorated with photographs, gifts, souvenirs, and food offerings.

5- Traditional Mexican food

The culinary heritage of Mexico is a rich and tasty tradition. The staples used in Mexican cuisine include beans, native tripe, chili peppers, avocados, tomatoes, and squash.

6- Mu

Aztec, Mayan and Iberian cultures have influenced the culture of Mexico. Music has played an important role and since Mexico has been colonized by Spain for some 300 years, the Spanish influence is part of the country's musical tradition.

Traditional music is not only one of the customs of Mexico, but also an identity for each region of the country, which makes it a diverse and fascinating part of its history. One of the most popular and easily recognizable sounds is that of the mariachi that originated in the state of Jalisco.

7- Wedding traditions

One of the traditions associated with a wedding in Mexico is that of the priest who gives thirteen gold coins to the groom, who then offers them to his bride.

This Mexican custom represents Jesus Christ and his twelve apostles and symbolizes the groom's disposition and his ability to take care of his future wife during their marriage.

It is also one of the traditions of Mexico for godparents to take part in a ceremony and give the couple a Bible and a rosary.

8- Christmas in M

Christmas customs in Mexico continue to have strong Catholic roots. A procession takes a baby Jesus to the nativity scene in the local church or to elaborate scenes in the people's home with the reconstruction of the manger of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem.

Traditionally, lullabies are sung for the newborn Jesus at midnight mass during the period known as La Misa del Gallo and it is the time when the baby Jesus is added to the cradle in the manger.

9- The siesta

Among the diverse and ancient traditions of Mexico are those that have been forgotten or eliminated.

Among the latter is the popular Mexican custom known as the "siesta." The stores are closed for a few hours during the afternoon to allow their owners and employees a period of rest.

Although due to the increasing pace of life in urban areas this custom is decreasing, in villages and rural areas the siesta is one of the ancient customs of Mexico that still prevails.

10- Religions of M

About 82 percent of Mexicans identify as Catholic, although many have incorporated pre-Hispanic Mayan elements as part of their faith.

The Christian denominations represented include Presbyterians, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-day Adventists, Mormons, Lutherans, Methodists, Baptists, and Anglicans. There are also small communities of Muslims, Jews and Buddhists.

11- The bullfight

Although classified as an illegal sport in many other countries, there are still bulls in Mexico. Inherited from Spain, it is one of Mexico's popular traditions and attracts large and varied audiences.

Mexico is one of the eight countries in Mexico where bullfighting is a legal sport. Some Mexican states have animal protection laws but unfortunately for many animal rights activists, these laws do nothing for the protection of bulls.

Bullfighting has been outlawed twice in Mexican history but is now completely legal. Even children are allowed to watch the show as long as they are accompanied by a responsible adult.

This never used to be the case (minors are never allowed to watch bullfights in Mexico) but the law has changed in recent years.

Mexico City is home to the largest bullfighting state in the world: the Monumental, built in 1942, has enough space to host more than 40,000 spectators.

The Mexican city of Aguascalientes is home to two bullfighting rings where many fights take place each year. Mexico is well known for child bullfighters.

Since European children under the age of sixteen are not allowed to practice bullfighting in public, many move to Mexico to further their training so that they can return to their countries of origin and have an advantage over their competitors.

12- The piñata

Piñatas are a family spectacle at many parties. This aspect of Mexican culture has been adopted throughout the world.

The piñata can be a pot made of clay, which is filled with fruit, candy and confetti, or it can be one made of paper, often in the shape of a donkey.

They have colorful decorations of tinsel, ribbons and paper, with a string attached. The piñata is hanging and the blindfolded children try to break it to reap the rewards.

13- Mexican art and literature

Clay pottery, embroidered cotton garments, woolen shawls and outer garments with angular designs, colorful baskets, and rugs are some of the common elements associated with Mexican folk art.

The country is closely associated with the mariachi style of folk music. Originating in the southern part of the state of Jalisco in the 19th century, it is a group of musicians - violins, guitars, basses, vihuelas and trumpets - and silver charro suits and elaborate hats. "La cucaracha" is a well-known mariachi song.

Two of the most famous artists in Mexico are Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Her paintings include vibrant colors and depictions of life in Mexico.

14- Mexican clothing

Many may not think of Mexico as a place that encourages fashion, but many fashion designers are from Mexico, such as Jorge Duque and Julia and Renata.

There is also a Mexico Fashion Week. In the cities, fashion in Mexico is influenced by international trends, so typical Mexican urban dresses resemble those of Europe and the United States.

In more rural areas, a woman's typical wardrobe includes skirts, sleeveless tunics called huipiles, capes known as quechquémitls, and shawls called rebozos.

A distinctive item of traditional men's clothing is a large blanket layer called a serape. Boots are also a wardrobe staple.

Some traditional garments, now typically used for celebrations and special occasions, include hats and the charro costumes worn by mariachi bands.

15- Languages ​​of M

The overwhelming majority of Mexicans today speak Spanish. Currently, Spanish is spoken by 92.7 percent of the Mexican population.

About 6 percent of the population speaks Spanish and indigenous languages, such as Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional languages.

Indigenous Mexican words have become common in other languages, including English. For example, chocolate, coyote, tomato and avocado all originated in Nahuatl.

16- Mariachis

Mariachi is one of the most traditional musical genres in Mexico. People who interpret this type of music are known as mariacheros or mariachis.

The mariachi is made up of a musical ensemble with a singer, strings and wind instruments. It is common to find these groups animating weddings and parties.

In Mexico City, street mariachis or mariachi bars are typical around Plaza Garibaldi.

Also, in 2011, Unesco declared Mariachi as a musical genre Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

17- Ritual of the Flyers

The voladores ritual is one of the most spectacular and traditional in Mexico. Its execution dates back to indigenous religious rituals, where the Papantla flyers ascended vertically up a pole and then flew off it.

It is believed that it is a ritual for fertility, where each flyer represents a cardinal point, and its flight represents the fall of the rain necessary for the harvest of food.

Today, this ritual can be seen among the Totonac Nahuas north of Puebla.

18- Holy Week

The Catholic tradition of Spanish origin is very strong in Mexico. This can be seen during Holy Week, a time of year during which the death of Jesus Christ is commemorated with ceremonies such as the Procession of Silence and the Stations of the Cross.

This tradition is celebrated most strongly in the colonial cities of Taxco, Oaxaca, Querétaro and San Luis Potosí. Every year thousands of tourists go to these cities to celebrate Holy Week, always between the months of March and April.

19- Quinceañera

The quinceañera celebration is one of the most emblematic of Mexican culture. This consists of organizing a party when a girl is going to turn 15 years old.

This tradition seeks to show the step a girl takes to enter adulthood.

For the quinceañera celebration, a group of mariachis or musicians enters the house of the honored woman in the morning, dedicating a serenade to her. Afterward, friends and family attend a special mass in her honor.

In the afternoon a banquet is held, a toast is made, and the quinceañera waltzes. For many parties, choreographies and surprises are prepared for the guests.

Tradition indicates that the quinceañera must wear an elegant and striking dress, must wear makeup and wear high heels.

20- Birth of a baby

Mexican culture is rich in superstitions, therefore events such as the birth of a baby are surrounded by these popular beliefs.

In many parts of Mexico, it is common to have different beliefs about the number of days a baby should spend at home before going outside for the first time. Almost always, this time covers the first 40 days of the infant's life.

On the other hand, it is believed that a baby's first outing should be to church, and that anyone visiting the newborn should receive a present.

In the case of men, they will receive cigars as gifts, and in the case of women, they will receive chocolates.

Another tradition related to the birth of a baby is the christening. Through this sacrament the newborn is welcomed to the Catholic religion. Baptisms take place in a church and are followed by a banquet.

Themes of interest

List of Mexican foods.

Mexican traditions.

References

1. Nina Makofsky. Holidays & Traditions in Mexico. (sf). Recovered from traveltips.usatoday.com.
2. John Hecht. Top 10 festivals and fiestas in Mexico. (sf). Recovered from lonelyplanet.com.
3. Mexican Holidays and Traditions. (sf). Recovered from dltk-kids.com.
4. Cultural Characteristics of the Mexican. (sf). Recovered from cronicasdesyriana.wordpress.com.
5. CULTURE AND TRADITIONS. (sf). Recovered from universia.es.