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Costumes. Mardi Gras in New Orleans in 1937. Mardi Gras, as a celebration of life before the more-somber occasion of Ash Wednesday, nearly always involves the use of masks and costumes by its participants, and the most popular celebratory colors are purple, green, and gold.
Jan 25, 2010 · What Is Mardi Gras? Mardi Gras is a tradition that dates back thousands of years to pagan celebrations of spring and fertility, including the raucous Roman festivals of Saturnalia and...
- 1 min
- Its origins can be traced to ancient times. The holiday’s roots date back thousands of years to Roman celebrations of fertility and the coming spring season.
- It goes by many names, including Shrove Tuesday… In the Middle Ages, people would use the day to acknowledge their sins in preparation for Lent. At the time, to shrive meant to confess, and so the day ultimately became known as Shrove Tuesday after the past tense of the verb.
- and Fat Tuesday… Why is Mardi Gras also called Fat Tuesday? Well, it’s simple: in French, "mardi" means Tuesday and "gras” means fat. The name is derived from the religious origins of the festival.
- and Pancake Day. In some countries—including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and Canada—this gluttonous day is also called Pancake Day. In addition to abstaining from meat, the early Catholic Church prohibited people from consuming any other foods that come from “flesh,” including milk, fat, and eggs.
4 days ago · Mardi Gras is a festive day celebrated in France on Shrove Tuesday (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday), which marks the close of the pre-Lenten season. The French name Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday, from the custom of using all the fats in the home before Lent.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Feb 14, 2024 · One of the craziest days of the year comes on the second Tuesday of February, which might seem like a random time to celebrate. However, the celebration now known mostly as Mardi Gras, but also referred to as Carnival, Fat Tuesday, and Shrove Tuesday, has roots deep in history.
- Jamie Lerner
Feb 21, 2023 · The most popular theory suggests its roots stretch back to the late 19th century, when Black New Orleanians started dressing up as Native Americans to pay homage to the Indigenous people who’d...
Feb 12, 2018 · All about the history behind five of New Orleans' favorite Mardi Gras traditions: krewes, masks, beads, king cake and the Mardi Gras colors.