Spanish or Mexican Quinceañera
Coming of Age Ceremony

Every culture has a coming of age ritual, symbolizing a child becoming an adult. Each culture recognizes this passage at different ages of the child. Jewish boys celebrate their Bar Mitvah at age 13, girls their Bas Mitvah at 12. In Australia and New Zealand they hold a party called, “The Twenty First”, held on the youth’s 21st birthday. Since 1948, the second Monday of January is set aside as a Coming of Age day, when everyone who celebrates their 20th birthday in that year is honored. In Korea, the Confucian ceremony called Gwallye is held for both boys and girls between 15-20 years of age. In Latino cultures, girls are recognized on their 15th birthday, boys when they have their first communion in the Catholic Church. The Spanish ceremony is called a Quinceañera.

Quinceañera refers both to a special unique birthday and to the girl who has turned 15. The event is comparable to the concept to a debutante's "coming out party" in other countries. The celebration acknowledges that a young woman has reached maturity and is now ready to start a life beyond childhood. In addition, the celebration is intended to reaffirm religious faith, good morals, and the virtues of traditional family values.

The Quinceañera may be a celebration comparable to the grandeur of a large Church wedding, and includes the Misa de accion de gracias (thanksgiving Mass) if the girl’s family is Catholic or a thanksgiving ceremony for non Catholics. The young woman being honored ("quinceañera") arrives in church dressed in an elegant full-length dress, white, pale blue, pale purple or pale pink in color. She also wears a matching headdress and an elaborate bouquet. She is escorted by her parents, godparents and, if the young woman chooses, she can invite more members into her "Court", consisting of several young women called damas (maids of honor) and several young men called chamberlains (escorts).

After the mass or ceremony, the quinceañera places her bouquet on the altar and the girl's family and friends pass out small commemorative favors to the guests in attendance. Guests then proceed to a banquet hall for a festive dinner and dance reception.