Santos is the most popular and impressive of the handicrafts of this island. The artisans who make these saints are called santeros and have been producing these religious figures since the 1500s. These saints are made with clay, gold, stone, or cedar wood that are carved into saints that are usually between 8 and 20 inches tall. The saints of Puerto Rico were derived from the pre-Columbian tradition and since then every home will have a patron saint as a belief to protect their family. In the early years these figurines had a strong Spanish influence, but over the years the local people asserted their own identity and the carved figures became simpler.

Different craft tools were used in the carving of these saints, such as vegetable dyes and even human hair. The saints carved by the artisans used to be identified by the symbols that accompanied them; San Antonio, for example, is usually represented with the baby Jesus and a book. Some of the most famous saints are the Three Kings, the Trinity and the Nativity. The best place to see the saints is Capilla de Cristo in Old San Juan with some of the popular figures on display like the virgins, the holy men and the Three Wise Men.

Mundillos, a product-type of bobbin lace, is about five centuries old and only exists in Puerto Rico and Spain. The “beggar’s lace”, also called “torchón”, was the first lace to be made, but over the years these laces have been transformed into bands called entrados with two straight edges, and another traditional style called lace has a straight edge. straight and scalloped.

The Popular Arts Center of the Dominican Convent in Old San Juan is the best place to see these worlds. These can also be seen at the Puerto Rican Weaving Festival that takes place every April in Isabella.

Vejigante masks are the most popular Puerto Rican handicrafts used in carnivals on the island. Vejigante is a folkloric figure in the festival of Puerto Rico that represents the Moors who symbolize the Devil in the battle between good and evil and are generally understood as “espano” masks. The etymology of membranante comes from bladder which means bladder and giant which means giant. The bladder is dried, inflated, filled with seeds, and painted, it is the favorite weapon of the danzantes. The repellent is a very old character that is also described in the classic novel Don Quixote by author Miguel de Cervantes in 1605. Over the years, the reveillentes have evolved as a traditional figure of resistance against colonialism and imperialism. Previously, the traditional colors were black, red, and yellow, all symbols of hellfire and damnation, but today pastels are more likely to be used. Each of the masks usually have two to three horns, but some can have hundreds in different shapes and sizes. A carnival is held every year in Loiza, and the repellents are the main attraction. There are four costumed characters: el Caballero (the gentleman), losburguesantes, los viejo (the elderly) and las locas (the crazy women). Ponce is the main center of art creation in Puerto Rico. These masks can be purchased throughout the year, even available online. Masks can be seen at three major carnivals on the island, the Ponce festival that takes place in February, the Loiza Aldea Festival in July, and the Day of the Masks in Hatillo in December.

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