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A short video made for kids that gives some background on Las Posadas. 

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A short video made for kids that gives some background on Las Posadas. 

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Twinkl Teaching Resources | Education Videos | USA

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Las Posadas for Kids | 16 December | Twinkl USA

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Play Virtual Lotería to get in the spirit of celebrating!

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Play Virtual Lotería to get in the spirit of celebrating!

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Today's interactive game Doodle celebrates the traditional Mexican card game, Lotería! It's also our second-ever multiplayer experience: Play the game with friends in a private match, or match with users around the globe at random.

A smile instantly comes to my face every time I think of Lotería. I think of being with my extended family in Mexico for the holidays, scattering around my Tia Cruz 's house, anxiously waiting for a round to start. I think of us tossing beans at each other in attempts to distract the other from our boards. Most importantly, I think of the laughter, the excitement, and how all the worries of the world melted away as this game brought us together, even if just for a few hours.

So upon being prompted to think of possible interactive Doodles to create for the following year, Lotería almost instantly came to mind. I wondered: If this simple game was so magical and powerful in its original state, how might that be amplified in the digital space? And so the Lotería Doodle was born.

It was exciting to collaborate with five Mexican and Mexican-American illustrators to reimagine many of the classic Lotería game art for the Doodle-along with some new cards for a fun sorpresa! We also partnered with popular Mexican YouTuber Luisito Comunica, who serves in the iconic role of game card announcer for the Doodle.

Although it has changed a great deal since being officially copyrighted in Mexico on this day 106 years ago, Lotería is still wildly popular today across Mexico and Latinx communities, whether as a Spanish language teaching tool or for family game night.

Originating in Italy in the 15th century, Lotería first moved to Spain before reaching Mexico in 1769. The rules are similar to bingo in that players mark spots on a tabla, or board, with a token (traditionally a raw bean) and attempt to fill it before all other players. A designated card announcer randomly pulls colorfully illustrated cards like " La Luna," or " El Arbol," and sometimes improvises poetic descriptions that match spaces on the tablas. A shout of " ¡lotería!" or " ¡buenas! " declares victory for one lucky player, ending the round.

Characters on cards have been updated several times to reflect the social norms of the time. One of the best known versions was created in Mexico by Frenchman Clemente Jacques in 1887. The "Don Clemente Gallo" edition, copyrighted in 1913, features the imagery that's become a form of folk art synonymous with Lotería.

Today, Lotería's iconic imagery and the shared experience it fosters across people of any generation has become a source of pride and celebration for Mexican culture. Whether you play today with your familia or a new amig@ around the world, we hope today's Doodle inspires fun, curiosity, and a healthy dose of competencia ;)
¡Feliz Aniversario, Lotería!

⁠-Perla Campos
Global Marketing Lead, Google Doodle

Today's Doodle art was illustrated by the following guest artists: Mexico-based Chabaski, Mexico-born Cecilia, Hermosillo-born Luis Pinto, Los Angeles-based Loris Lora, and Mexico City-based Vals.

Below, they share their thoughts behind the making of the Doodle:
Q: Why was this topic meaningful to you personally? Chabaski: Luis: Loris: Q: What are your first memories (or any memories) of playing Lotería? Chabaski: Loris: Vals: Q: What were your first thoughts when you were approached about the project? Cecilia: Luis: Vals: Q: Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for the cards you drew? Luis: Q: Of the cards you worked on, which one is your favorite and why? Chabaski: Cecilia: Luis: Q: What message do you hope people take away from the Doodle? Chabaski: Loris: Vals: Cecilia: For the people that have never played Lotería, I hope the Doodle gives them an excuse to take a break and have a good time with family and friends. I also hope it makes people want to get their own Lotería set. To the people that grew up playing Lotería, I hope the Doodle awakes beautiful memories. I hope it makes them feel the way one feels when an old, beloved song starts playing unexpectedly on the radio. I hope that people who live far from Mexico or Latin America discover this game and the traditional value it offers. And for people who have played Lotería, it would be beautiful if it awakens memories of their childhood. I hope people enjoy all the fun artistic interpretation of these classic cards. They were so much fun to work on. I hope they can see how beautiful Mexican traditions are. Sketches of the Doodle card art by guest artist Luis Pinto Sketches of the Doodle card art by guest artist Chabaski Sketches of the Doodle card art by guest artist Cecilia Ruiz Learn how the Google Doodle team used the Firebase Realtime Database to build this multiplayer game. From the cards I worked on, my favorite is El Músico. The character, colors, and composition are very playful and redesigning it gave me a lot of joy. For me, it is an iconic Lotería card that is closely linked to the love the country of Mexico has for its music and artists. My favorite is El Sol, because I always felt like the sun in the original set looked too serious. In a way, I think my sun turned out to be more joyful and warm-more "sunny" I would say. La Campana, because everywhere you go you can find one decorated according to where you are. Also La Mano, because I just love their shape. I drew inspiration from many sources for the cards, particularly from the patterns and colors that you can see in the alebrijes [colorfully painted imaginary creatures with elements from different animals], mexican handicrafts, and lucha libre [Mexican wrestling]. I enjoyed adding a Luchador [well known Mexican wrestler] to Lotería's El Mundo card. I was surprised and then emotional, since it is a very iconic game. I was very excited to participate, especially knowing that there would be other artists involved. Absolutely YES! One of the first memories I have of playing Lotería is from visiting my grandmother on Sunday afternoons where the family used to play, using rice grains instead of chips. I remember being 9 or 10 years old and playing Lotería with a group of older ladies at my parents' friend's house and using pinto beans as placeholders. I think there was one time my little brother and I kept winning against them. I remember when I was around 6 years old, my mom and aunts would gather around a table and play for hours until we had to go home. We would bet a couple of pesos, which made it more fun. Like many Latinxs, Lotería was a game I grew up with and loved. Our whole family and friends would get together and play at parties. Lotería is a game that is closely related to Mexican culture, my childhood memories, and my family. The characters, objects, colors, and dynamics of the game are also details that I feel very attracted to, along with the sense of identity La Lotería gives to Mexico and the Latinx / Latinamerican community. I think playing Lotería is in every Mexican's memory, and age doesn't matter-everyone will enjoy playing it. In my case it's been one of the family faves since I was a kid.
Luis: I hope people will discover or rediscover this wonderful game with a new perspective through the vision of all the talent and the team involved in this project. That they can share it and have fun with it. And for the Mexican, Latinamerican / Latinx community, I hope that they can feel proud of their identity and the richness of their culture.

Behind-the-scenes photos of the making of the Doodle

Doodle engineer Jacob, guest artist Luis Pinto, Doodle marketing lead Perla, and guest artist Cecilia in Mexico City for a Lotería research trip!

Mexican YouTuber Luisito recording the card announcer voiceover for the Doodle!

Project Concept Lead | Perla Campos

Art Direction | Alyssa Winans

Engineering Lead | Jacob Howcroft

Engineering Support | Collin Irwin

UX Design | Alyssa Winans, Jacob Howcroft, Diana Tran

Project Manager | Colin Duffy

Marketing | Perla Campos, Grace Chen, José Carlos Ramírez Gómez, Valeria Gonzalez

Doodles Business Affairs Lead & Partnerships Program Manager | Madeline Belliveau

Sound Design | Silas Hite

Doodle Team Lead | Jessica Yu

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Celebrating Lotería! Doodle - Google Doodles

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Learn more about the creation of Celebrating Lotería! Doodle and discover the story behind the unique artwork.

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Details about Posadas traditions in Mexico

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Details about Posadas traditions in Mexico

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For many Mexicans, the word posadas evokes chilly nights surrounded by family and friends, singing, enjoying a warm meal, and spreading holiday cheer all around. If you have never been lucky enough to be invited to one of these celebrations, read on to find out what posadas in Mexico are all about.

What are posadas?

The word posada means inn or lodging, and traditionally posadas are a celebration of the Christmas story. They take place on nine nights from December 16 to 24 and commemorate the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph's search for a place to stay where Jesus could be born. Posadas in Mexico feature hot food and drinks, sweets, music, and piñatas.

Throughout Mexico, churches and communities still celebrate these festivities with their traditional, religious elements. Today almost any party held around Christmas is called a posada. Schools often host posadas as end-of-the-year parties for students and teachers.

Read more: Mexican Celebrations: A Month-by-Month Guide to the Holidays and Festivals
Don't Miss: Holidays in Mexico and the History of the Traditional Nativity Scene

How did posadas originate?

Posadas in Mexico began as a way for the Spaniards to teach native people about Christmas. During the nine days leading up to Christmas Day, masses would include representations of Mary and Joseph. Following mass was a party where people were blindfolded before hitting a piñata with a stick, a representation of faith defeating temptation with the help of virtue. The fruits and sweets that poured out of the piñata represented the joys of union with God.

In time, posadas started to be held in neighborhoods and people's homes, becoming a more familiar and tightly-knit occasion, as well as preparation for Christmas. At the beginning of a posada, people are divided in two groups, the ones "outside" representing Mary and Joseph, and the ones "inside" representing innkeepers. Then everyone sings the posada litany together, re-enacting Mary and Joseph's search, going back and forth until they are finally "admitted" to an inn. After this tradition, the party proper starts. Posadas have spread to other countries - such as Guatemala, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela; the celebrations vary by location.

Must-haves for a successful posada

Piñatas

Traditional piñatas typically have seven spikes to represent the seven deadly sins. Although piñatas have mostly lost their original religious meaning in most parts of Mexico, they remain an essential part of las posadas. They are commonly filled with candy (originally representing the forgiveness of sins and a new beginning.) In more traditional celebrations you'll find them filled with small fruits, cookies, and peanuts.

Aguinaldo or Bolo

These are little candy bags that hosts hand out to the guests at the end of the posada.

Ponche Navideño (Mexican Christmas Fruit Punch)

A hot, flavorful drink that for many is synonymous with the holidays. Its ingredients vary from state to state, but it is traditionally prepared with tejocote (Mexican hawthorn), sugarcane, tamarind, apple, pear, guava, and cinnamon sticks. Some hosts will also offer their adult guests ponche con piquete - punch with a sting of alcohol, usually tequila or rum.

Tamales

The warm treats of tamales are made of steamed corn dough filled with meats, cheeses, and vegetables. They date from pre-Columbian times. You can find tamales throughout Mexico year-round, but they're especially popular during the holiday season.

Singing

The posada litany is essential. Many people also sing Christmas carols, and during modern posadas, people break out a karaoke machine and sing into the night.

The posada litany

Litany translation by Tony Rosado.

Ready to Start Planning Your Holiday Trip to Mexico?

Our are a great starting point to get inspired for your next trip. Be sure to check out our sample itineraries in Mexico holiday season in Mexico City & Riviera Maya itinerary that combines both culture and beach; or if you're looking for something more traditional check out our eight-day tour of Colonial Mexico to experience the full spectrum of the holiday celebrations. Visit the town of Tlalpujahua, known as Mexico's Santa's Workshop, while a visit to Tzintzuntzan offers the chance to create your own Christmas decorations. After, head to San Miguel de Allende to see their posada and pastorela events. Once you have an idea in mind, contact our expert travel planning team who will help to personalize your vacation to perfection. Our custom-tailored journeys start from $1,000 USD per day for two travelers in interior Mexico, and $1,800 per day for two travelers in beach destinations.

Winter Holiday in Colonial Mexico

Holidays in Mexico City & the Riviera Maya

The holiday season is a wonderful time to visit Mexico and be a part of its rich traditions. Contact one of our expert travel planners and let us put together a custom trip for you and your family.

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Posadas in Mexico, a Christmas Tradition

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For many Mexicans, the word posadas evokes chilly nights surrounded by family and friends, singing, enjoying a warm meal, and spreading holiday cheer all around. If you have never been lucky enough to be invited to one of these celebrations, read on to find out what posadas in Mexico are all about.

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Traditional Music sung during Las Posadas

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Traditional Music sung during Las Posadas

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A quick rundown of the traditions celebrated during Las Posadas

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A quick rundown of the traditions celebrated during Las Posadas

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Things you should know about MEXICAN POSADAS

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Scroll through Nat Geo to learn a bit more about Diwali with pictures and infographics. 

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Scroll through Nat Geo to learn a bit more about Diwali with pictures and infographics. 

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Learn about India's biggest holiday of the year.

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Click to watch the story of Diwali -- a Hindu holiday known as the "Festival of Lights" taking place in the fall season. 

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Click to watch the story of Diwali -- a Hindu holiday known as the "Festival of Lights" taking place in the fall season. 

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Scroll through for a short video and more info on how Diwali is celebrated throughout India.

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Scroll through for a short video and more info on how Diwali is celebrated throughout India.

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Hindus across the world are celebrating Diwali. The five-day festival of lights is one of the most popular holidays in India, and Thursday is the main day of festivities, when the faithful pray to the Hindu goddess of wealth.

People celebrate Diwali by lighting little earthen oil lamps to mark the victory of light over darkness.

What the holiday signifies

Diwali, or Deepawali, gets its name from the Sanskrit word deepavali, which means "row of clay lamps." Many people in India will light these lamps outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects them from spiritual darkness, in tune with a holiday that is an ode to the triumph of good over evil.

Hindu celebrations center on the return of Rama and Sita, two deities, to Ayodhya, an ancient city in India, after being exiled. Sikhs, Jains and even Buddhists have their own lore surrounding the holiday - you can read about it here.

The holiday overlaps with the Hindu New Year and as a result is associated with a chance to reset and start anew.

The course of the five days includes cleaning house, buying new furnishings and exchanging gifts with loved ones. It also centers on traditions such as buying new kitchen utensils to help bring good fortune, as well as other practices to attract the goodwill of spirits.

What the festivities look like in India

In the northern Indian temple town of Ayodhya, authorities lit about a million such lamps along the banks of a river.

Ayodhya is believed to be the birthplace of the Hindu god Lord Ram, and Diwali is said to be the day he returned home after defeating a demon.

Across India, celebrations include fireworks and devotional music.

But amid the festivities, there are also concerns about air pollution caused by Diwali firecrackers.

Already, pollution in the capital, New Delhi, has risen to its worst this season.

More than 1 billion Hindus observe Diwali worldwide. NPR's Sushmita Pathak and Michael Zamora provided this video report:
Sushmita Pathak reported from Mumbai; Manuela López Restrepo is based in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Separate versions of this story appeared on the Morning Edition live blog.

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Hindus across the world are celebrating Diwali. The five-day festival of lights is one of the most popular holidays in India, and Thursday is the main day of festivities, when the faithful pray to the Hindu goddess of wealth. People celebrate Diwali by lighting little earthen oil lamps to mark the victory of light over darkness.

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What Is Diwali and How Is It Celebrated?

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Take a look at the Google page for Diwali. Click the yellow diya (lamp) to virtually light the other diyas.  

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Take a look at the Google page for Diwali. Click the yellow diya (lamp) to virtually light the other diyas.  

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Please click here if you are not redirected within a few seconds.

Diwali, Dewali, Divali, or Deepavali, also known as the Festival of Lights, related to Jain Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Tihar, Swanti, Sohrai, and Bandna, is a Dharmic religious celebration and one of the most important festivals within Hinduism. Wikipedia

Observances : Diya and lighting, home decoration, shopping, fireworks, puja (prayers), gifts, feast, and sweets, families gather together

Date : Sunday, November 12, 2023

May 19, 2010 · In India, one of the most significant festivals is Diwali, or the Festival of Lights. It's a fiveday ...
Duration: 3:06
Posted: May 19, 2010

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Diwali, Dewali, Divali, or Deepavali, also known as the Festival of Lights, related to Jain Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Tihar, Swanti, Sohrai, and Bandna, is a Dharmic religious celebration and one of the most important festivals within Hinduism. Wikipedia

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Start here to get listen to Mayim Bialik (Big Bang Theory) answer to some commonly believed myths about Hanukkah

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Start here to get listen to Mayim Bialik (Big Bang Theory) answer to some commonly believed myths about Hanukkah

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Start here to learn about the important principles celebrated during Kwanzaa

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Start here to learn about the important principles celebrated during Kwanzaa

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What Is Kwanzaa and How Is It Celebrated?

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A quick video on the origins of 5 Hanukkah traditions

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A quick video on the origins of 5 Hanukkah traditions

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Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, commemorates the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem that had been defiled after the Maccabean Revolt, a biblical story that - while it has a few different versions - celebrates the miracle of triumph against overwhelming odds.

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The Surprising Origins of 5 Hanukkah Traditions

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Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, commemorates the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem that had been defiled after the Maccabean Revolt, a biblical story that - while it has a few different versions - celebrates the miracle of triumph against overwhelming odds.

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Interact with the Virtual Kinara and walk through some of the traditions of Kwanzaa!

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Interact with the Virtual Kinara and walk through some of the traditions of Kwanzaa!

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Watch this quick short on how to light Hanukkah Candles

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Watch this quick short on how to light Hanukkah Candles

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Here’s an easy rhyme to remember for the Hanukkah candles - “we always light from left to right!”. Happy Hanukkah#hanukkah #chanukah #jewish

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Kwanzaa is an African-inspired holiday | CBC Kids News

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For an accurate history lesson with a humorous take, watch Dulce from The Daily Show with Trevor Noah explain Kwanzaa's roots as an African American holiday!

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For an accurate history lesson with a humorous take, watch Dulce from The Daily Show with Trevor Noah explain Kwanzaa's roots as an African American holiday!

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Dul-Sayin’ - The History of Kwanzaa | The Daily Show

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Adam Sandler sings about Hanukkah on SNL in 1994. Watch this song after you watch a video with Hanukkah history!

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Adam Sandler sings about Hanukkah on SNL in 1994. Watch this song after you watch a video with Hanukkah history!

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Weekend Update: Adam Sandler on Hanukkah - SNL

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Spin a virtual Dreidel. Play with friends!

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Spin a virtual Dreidel. Play with friends!

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Shin stands for 'shtel' which means put in.

In Israel, shin is often replaced by pe, which also has the same meaning.

Gimel stands for 'gantz' which translates as everything.

Hey stands for 'halb' which also translates as half.

Sometimes hey is also written as hei.

Nun stands for 'nisht' which translates as nothing.

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Shin stands for 'shtel' which means put in. In Israel, shin is often replaced by pe, which also has the same meaning. Gimel stands for 'gantz' which translates as everything. Hey stands for 'halb' which also translates as half. Sometimes hey is also written as hei. Nun stands for 'nisht' which translates as nothing.

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Is There a Right Way to Spell Hanukkah? Chanukah? Hannukah?