Cascarones

Yesterday, students from Elk County Catholic High School’s Spanish 3 class went around to different classrooms to deliver confetti-filled eggs.

These eggs, or cascarones, originated in China, where they were filled with scented powders and frequently given as gifts. After Marco Polo visited China in the 13th century, the eggs became very popular in the royal courts of Europe, especially in Italy and Spain. They finally arrived in Mexico in the mid-1800s, courtesy of Emperor Maximilian’s wife Carlotta. In Mexico, however, confetti was substituted for the scented powder. The tradition then changed to cracking the egg on a friend’s head to release the confetti and bring good luck to that person. Cascarones also have a religious meaning. Because they are made from eggs, they symbolize rebirth and resurrection of Jesus.