Mardi Gras on the Net - The Story of Mardi Gras

The Story of Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras came to New Orleans through its French heritage in 1699. Early explorers celebrated this French Holiday on the banks of the Mississippi River. Throughout the years, Orleanians have added to the celebration by establishing krewes (organizations) which host parades and balls. Carnival quickly became an exciting holiday for both children and adults.

Mardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday" and of course is celebrated on that day of the week. The date can fall between February 3 and March 9 depending on the Lunar calendar, used by the Catholic Church to determine the date of Easter. Mardi Gras is always 47 days before Easter Sunday.

The official colors for Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold. These colors were chosen in 1872 by the King of Carnival, Rex. He chose these colors to stand for the following:

Purple represents justice
green stands for faith
gold stands for power

The Mardi Gras season begins on January 6 and continues until Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. On the Christian calendar, the twelfth day after Christmas is known as "Epiphany", "Twelfth Night", or "Kings Day." It is the day the gift-bearing Magi visited the baby Jesus, and is celebrated with its own unique rituals.

Click for an expanded view of the History of Mardi Gras

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Comments

killer 379 from West Virginia, US

11:58 03/18/2010

wat up people hello how u doin

Kaitlyn from Maryland, US

14:35 02/18/2010

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jim bob from Mississippi, US

14:10 02/18/2010

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ophease

14:06 02/18/2010

lol this website is stupid but id like to go to a mari gras

Someone from somewhere from Maryland, US

10:29 02/18/2010

I think that Mardi Gras sounds like a blast! I would love to go to a celebration like that! Thnx for letting us learn about Mardi Gras!!

Mardi

06:09 02/18/2010

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Summer Rhiann from Nebraska, US

15:39 02/16/2010

I love the parties and fun and beads!!! :D

alex gordillo

13:56 02/12/2010

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sharon fisher from Oklahoma, US

09:53 02/12/2010

Hello I need to know back in the 90 was the Mardi Gras ever in march or in the 80 please respond thank you

LaLa from Louisiana, US

10:46 02/10/2010

I really like Mardi Gras. It is a time when people in New Orleans have fun and don;t care about their worries. I LOVE MARDI GRAS TIL THE DAY I DIE!!!!!!!!

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