Ristra

Ristra (/ˈriːstrɑː/), noun. An arrangement of dried peppers, sometimes for décor, commonly found in Mexico and the Southwestern U.S.

Some of our earliest, strongest, and most beloved memories involve the cultural traditions of our childhood, whether they are the artifacts of our family heritage or the aroma of the food our mothers cooked. So strong, in fact, are our olfactory memories that encountering these food smells even years later takes us instantly back, pulling on some invisible thread that connects us to the food, the culture — home.

Food is inextricably linked to culture, and nowhere is that truer than Latino food to Latino culture. The iconic ristra, said to bring health and good luck, would represent an ideal entrée into the wonderful world of Lego for many in the U.S., which in 2020 had a Hispanic population of over 62 million people. But the Lego ristra is also art for its own sake, and a rather challenging build to boot.

Whether it evokes la cultura Latina and the delicious flavors and aromas of Latin food or symbolizes good luck, the deceptively simple, elegant design of the Lego ristra makes it a natural addition to the Lego Botanical Collection — with the potential for expansion to a cultural collection that is certain to hold great appeal for many.