Create your own Papel Picado and enjoy a tamale in Henkel Hall, Hester Auditorium! In Mexican culture, there’s no celebration without music, flowers and papel picado! Papel picado means “punched paper.” It comes from the Aztec tradition of using tree bark to make amatl/amate (paper) and covering it in rubber, thus creating designs. Eventually, in the 20th century, tissue paper was adopted and it has evolved into the art form we know today. These colorful decorations are often hung in homes, streets, and public places to add color and festivity to the occasion. 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. For more information, contact Ashley Simmons at ashley.simmons@su.edu.