design, culture, artifacts
Known in English as the Mexican Hat Dance, the Jarabe TapatÃo is widely recognized as the national dance of Mexico. The musical piece, a medley of Mexican folk music, accompanies a dance that tells the story of love and courtship.
The male dancer wears a sombrero and traditional charro suit. His lady partner wears a ranchero style dress. Together they engage in a flirtatious dance that finishes with a romantic turn or by hiding their faces behind the man's sombrero in a feigned kiss.
The design of the Dancing Plate emulates the undulating pattern of the ranchero style dress as it spins ecstatically in dance.