What is the traditional quinceañera ritual called when the honoree receives her first high-heeled shoes?

The quinceañera ritual in which the honoree receives her first high-heeled shoes is called the changing of the shoes.

In the familiar version of the custom, the honoree first wears flat shoes and then changes into high heels, often with help from her father. The sequence symbolizes a transition from childhood toward young womanhood. It is one of several symbolic gestures that families may include during the reception.

The ritual is not identical everywhere. Some families omit it, adapt it, or have another relative perform the shoe change. Likewise, the symbolism is cultural rather than legal: it does not make the honoree an adult under civil law.

Other popular quinceañera customs include presenting a tiara, receiving a last doll, lighting candles, and sharing a formal dance. These practices developed differently across communities, so a celebration may include only some of them.