Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras History

Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, honors the commencement of Lent’s fasting period in Christian faith. With its grand parades, flamboyant masks and costumes, and festive gatherings. Mardi Gras incorporates various elements such as bead-tossing, music, and dance. The quintessential beads, typically purple, green, and gold, represent justice, faith, and power, respectively.

Mardi Gras, introduced to America in the late 17th century by French explorers, had its origins in Medieval Europe. Initially celebrated in Mobile, Alabama, it later found its most famous home in New Orleans, Louisiana. The celebration's important aspects were maintained, although it underwent natural cultural adaptations that molded the American version of Mardi Gras. The event became a significant fusion of different cultures and traditions, prominently featuring communities' local practices, music, and cuisine.

In America, Mardi Gras is widely celebrated, especially in southern states like Louisiana and Alabama. It includes both family-friendly and adult events, characterized by extravagant parades with elaborate floats, marching bands, and carnival krewes. The parties, balls, and King Cake parties are also a significant part of the celebration - the person who finds a small plastic baby in the cake is crowned "king" or "queen" and must host the next year's party. While Mardi Gras parties may begin as early as January 6 (Twelfth Night), the main event is always the day before Ash Wednesday, marking the start of the Lenten season in the Christian calendar.

Facts about Mardi Gras

• Some families eat a festive King Cake on Mardi Gras. Although it is traditionally served on Epiphany, many cultures, especially the people of Louisiana, savor the sweet cake the night before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras cakes are often decorated with a toy baby to represent the baby Jesus.
• Green, gold, and purple are the official colors of Mardi Gras, and they all have roots in Christianity. Green represents faith, while purple symbolizes justice. Gold stands for power.
• Mardi Gras is not celebrated as an official church holiday, but is celebrated because the following day starts Lent, a 40-day period of preparation and penitence before Easter. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, so Mardi Gras, French for "Fat Tuesday", is often the last day that people may indulge before beginning dietary restrictions. In Roman Catholic tradition, the faithful refrain from eating meat during Lent except on Sundays. Fish is acceptable in some Latin American countries.
• Although the holiday is rooted in the Christian calendar, not many churches observe it with a worship service. Most observances include festive parties, balls, and parades.

In the News and Trending in the US for Mardi Gras

Top things to do in the US for Mardi Gras

• Make your own King cake and serve it to your family and friends.
• Wear purple, green, and gold beads to celebrate the day.
• Attend the largest Mardi Gras celebration, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
• Attend a local Mardi Gras event. Many local communities organize street fairs and celebrations for this day.