Mardi Gras Madness
Mardi Gras is the granddaddy of all New Orleans festivals, and its been there in one form or another, as long as the city itself. Volumes could be written about its history, and almost any New Orleans native you encounter will have his or her own version of Mardi Gras tales.
What you will find here is a thumbnail sketch of Mardi Gras- its background and history as well as a quick rundown on present-day krewes, parades and balls. I have also included a few recipe ideas and ways you can celebrate Mardi Gras in your home-without traveling to New Orleans.
To begin with, the name Mardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday" in French, and that's a very appropriate name because Mardi Gras is always celebrated on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday-the idea being that you have a sort of obligation to eat, drink, and be merry as you possibly can before the Lenton season of fasting and repentance sets in. The name Carnival is Latin in origin (from carnisvale, meaning "farewell to flesh") and refers to the period from January 6th to Mardi Gras Day. The Carnival season is officially opened by the Krewe of the Twelfth Night Revelers ball, the only one that has a fixed date.
The Mardi Gras by Paul Cezanne
Mardi Gras Trivia
Official Colors:
purple-justice
green-faith
gold-power
Official Song: "If Ever I Cease to Love You"
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Updated on February 27, 1998