Timeless Traditions

Welcome Back!

In this week's blog, I’ll be sharing a couple of meaningful traditions from each side of my cultural heritage that I’ve embraced in my own life. Both Irish and Mexican cultures are rich with traditions, and while I’m still gradually incorporating many of them, I look forward to passing these down to my future family.

One of my favorite Irish traditions, and one that’s been part of my life since childhood, is wearing the Claddagh ring. This iconic ring, featuring two hands holding a heart crowned with love, symbolizes love, loyalty, and friendship. It’s typically given to mark romantic or familial bonds. My first Claddagh ring holds special significance because it was a gift from my grandmother. The ring had originally been hers, but when it became too small for her to wear, she passed it down to me. I cherish this ring and wear it daily as a reminder of our connection. More recently, I added another Claddagh ring to my collection during my trip to Ireland this summer—a beautiful memento of my time there.                                               

Another Irish tradition I enjoy is the Irish toast, often shared during weddings and family celebrations. In my family, it’s customary to raise a glass of Guinness (although whiskey is also traditional) and say “Sláinte!” which means “to your health.” We use this toast for birthdays, anniversaries, and whenever we’re celebrating good news. It’s a simple but meaningful way to bring us together and honor our heritage. 

Moving on to my Mexican traditions, one that always fills me with joy is singing "Las Mañanitas" on birthdays. Instead of the usual "Happy Birthday" song, this special tune is sung early in the morning to wake up the birthday person. My family in Mexico always sings it to me, and it’s a beautiful reminder of the love and warmth that comes with celebrating birthdays in our culture.

Another tradition I treasure is Los Reyes Magos, or Three Kings' Day, celebrated on January 6th. This marks the end of the Christmas season and is a time for family gatherings. We share a special cake called Rosca de Reyes, and children leave out their shoes to receive gifts from the Three Wise Men, similar to how Santa Claus delivers presents. A fun (and sometimes nerve-wracking) part of the Rosca de Reyes tradition is finding the hidden plastic baby inside the cake. Whoever gets the slice with the baby is responsible for hosting a family party. As a child, I always hoped to find the baby, thinking it was a prize, but now I try to avoid it—it comes with a lot of responsibility!

                                          

Traditions are what keep our cultures alive, and while I’m excited to create new ones in the future, I feel equally honored to carry on the ones that have been passed down to me.