In Guatemala, people symbolically set the devil on fire, usually in the form of paper or cardboard effigies and piles of old household trash, during the traditional celebration known as La Quema del Diablo (“The Burning of the Devil”).

What is burned

  • Devil-shaped effigies made of cardboard, paper, and piñata-style materials.
  • Old papers, worn-out objects, and accumulated household rubbish representing “impurities” or bad energy from the year.
  • Bonfires built outside homes or in public plazas, often combined with fireworks and firecrackers.

Symbolic meaning

  • The burning of the devil symbolizes spiritual cleansing and the removal of negativity, bad luck, or evil spirits from homes and communities.
  • It marks a ritual “reset” before the Catholic feast of the Immaculate Conception and the start of the Christmas season, representing the triumph of good over evil.
  • For many today, it is a personal act of letting go of stress, sadness, and burdens from the previous year.

When and how it happens

  • The event is held every year on December 7, typically at 6 p.m., across Guatemalan cities and towns.
  • Families and neighborhoods organize small or large fires, sometimes featuring giant devil piñatas stuffed with fireworks.
  • It has become a recognized element of Guatemala’s intangible cultural heritage, even as environmental concerns grow over burning plastics and other toxic materials.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.