For fans of Mexican crafts, today I will talk of a place where the land is clay and this becomes life, I will talk about trees life that are made Metepec, Estado de Mexico. This place is famous for its pottery, is the center producer and distributor of pottery and crafts made by the hands of the metepetenses.
The tradition started in the past and continues to this day where every craftsman extracted raw material, it designs, manufactures, distributes and sells its products to the merchant and the tourist.
The tradition started in the past and continues to this day where every craftsman extracted raw material, it designs, manufactures, distributes and sells its products to the merchant and the tourist.
As background I want to tell you 12 thousand years ago this place was a lake area of \u200b\u200blush vegetation. Lived around the lakes of prehistoric fauna, example is that in 1992 the remains were found Mammoth fossils, other findings are vestiges of human life as vases, jugs and figurines that date back thousands of years ago are evidence of the activities of agriculture and pottery.
Culture established in 1120 was that of the Matlatzincas, who inhabited the area for over 300 years before the Aztecs arrived in 1470 and subjected to other peoples in order to receive toll on the great empire of Tenochtitlan . The Aztecs and their language gave this town the name of Metepec, Nahuatl word meaning hill of the maguey.
The Nahuatl people gathered in the shadow of a volcanic geological elevation where celebrated its prehispanic rites and ceremonies, but the arrival of the English began a new phase in the population with the evangelization process whose purpose was to erase indigenous rituals and idol worship prehispanic. Was appointed to St. John the Baptist as patron saint of Metepec.
And this is how hundreds of years ago, the place has been devoted to the pottery with clay developed various useful items for everyday life and others that only have the function to be ornamental, decorative words.
Culture established in 1120 was that of the Matlatzincas, who inhabited the area for over 300 years before the Aztecs arrived in 1470 and subjected to other peoples in order to receive toll on the great empire of Tenochtitlan . The Aztecs and their language gave this town the name of Metepec, Nahuatl word meaning hill of the maguey.
The Nahuatl people gathered in the shadow of a volcanic geological elevation where celebrated its prehispanic rites and ceremonies, but the arrival of the English began a new phase in the population with the evangelization process whose purpose was to erase indigenous rituals and idol worship prehispanic. Was appointed to St. John the Baptist as patron saint of Metepec. And this is how hundreds of years ago, the place has been devoted to the pottery with clay developed various useful items for everyday life and others that only have the function to be ornamental, decorative words.
trees life combination of talent and imagination Metepec the artisans of the trees of life.
Imagine, this tradition was born in the thirties when a foreigner from Veracruz, came with a single tree of life in order to repair a potter and thus bring to the temple of Santo Domingo in Oaxaca City. Then the craft Modesta Fernandez did the work and once completed, Modesta devised to represent a tree of life, the Eden narrative in the Bible characters like Adam, Eve and the serpent in the midst of the paradise tree simulating a candlestick arms. Over time he was adding more elements and colors.
Several
Modesta artisans and family decided to develop Tree of Life, details and add color, so the population adopts the craft as a symbol of Metepec. 
Trees of Life can purchase the calendar (the color of mud) or polychrome, the latter are very happy and I tell you to see a smile on his face. for its development can be chosen in simple and complicated, the first are those that contain sheets inserted or attached with wire, usually are painted and have two bases for candles. The complicated life trees are those that are human figures, animals, flowers and other ornamental elements.
Today there are so many issues of trees of life and imagination of the artisans of Metepec, as more components having the tree, the fun will be charged. For example, a tree of marine animals, jellyfish, octopuses, sea horses, turtles, dolphins and many fish! There family trees for those who identify with their characters, others express biblical themes like Eden, The Last Supper, or the birth of baby Jesus, imagine the tree of the ark with Noah and his animals in pairs!
Other issues include Spring with Daisies and roses, fruit trees, trees with Monarch Butterfly trees, musical instruments, there are trees with Mexican dishes! In short, there are trees to death with skulls which are well sold in Day of the Dead. You can search among many, the one you identify. 
Although at first the Tree of Life only showed a front to decorate a wall, now there are two sides in case you want them at a table or in a display case, and so your guests can admire them for all sides. There are works that measure 5 cm. until they reach the monumental six meters or more.
Trees of Life Metepetenses families have been recognized nationally and internationally, craftsmen have exhibited their works and exhibitions in museums around the world or are already part of the decoration of large receptions as the tree of the Casa de las Americas Havana or the one at the Museum of belonging to the British Museum. These magnificent works of art are also export to different parts of North America, Asia, Europe and South America, an important fact is that at the beginning of 2009 the collective association of potters and artisans "Tree of Life" got a brand registered for this craft a seal of authenticity and quality to prevent counterfeiting and compete in the craft market
how to do what? If you are interested in making a Tree of Life, you must first take into account that production takes about a week, then follow these steps:
* Mix sand and mud clay
* Grind or make fine powder as you want , let stand 3 days
* Mix the powder with water and mold the figures, assembled with wire
* Bake in oven for 4 hours scale at 650 ° C
* When it is dried out and painted with colored vinyl
* Leave dry thoroughly and place in a site for all to admire
Now if you like, you can visit the shops and workshops on the streets May 5, Comonfort and Hidalgo, and see the whole process
We also remember that in Metepec find other items such as clay pots, tiles, vases, dishes, Catrina, Gods children, birth figures, suns moons and eclipses, in short all types of clay and pottery.
Since these in Metepec not forget to visit its main attractions At the foot of the hill of the maguey see the Calvary Temple or shrine of the Virgin of pain with stairs, there you can shoot a panoramic of the city. In one of the gardens and esplanade of the temple, there is a mural of the tree of life showing the task potter and the craft traditions of Metepec.
Other sites are the parish of San Juan Bautista and Santa Maria de Guadalupe, led by the Franciscans, with a facade made of mud, symbolizing the fusion. The Franciscan monastery is a magnificent historic landmark building in this city, dating from the sixteenth century.
In the Plaza Juarez is located kiosk, wooded areas, restaurants and shops, here you can enjoy a traditional snow and see the source of the siren or call it "the Atlanchana" asks for the legend This siren will advance you to myself that it was a beautiful woman who existed in the former lake area of \u200b\u200bthe nine lakes and fishermen mesmerized with its beautiful and naked beauty but one day ...
Until next time!
In the Plaza Juarez is located kiosk, wooded areas, restaurants and shops, here you can enjoy a traditional snow and see the source of the siren or call it "the Atlanchana" asks for the legend This siren will advance you to myself that it was a beautiful woman who existed in the former lake area of \u200b\u200bthe nine lakes and fishermen mesmerized with its beautiful and naked beauty but one day ...
Until next time!
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