Mardi Gras or "Fat Tuesday"

Mardi Gras, “Fat Tuesday” in French, is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. The official colors of Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold. Purple stands for justice, green for faith, and gold for power.

The first Mardi Gras held in New Orleans was on March 3, 1699. Brought to America by the French, Mardi Gras has been celebrated since the Middle Ages. The Spanish banned the practice when they controlled New Orleans. Mardi Gras returned to New Orleans in 1827 after the Louisiana Purchase by the United States. The first parade was in 1837. The city has celebrated Mardi Gras ever since except for wartime interruptions during the War between the States, World War I, and World War II.

Mardi Gras is the last day of Carnival, which begins on the Feast of the Epiphany or Three Kings’ Day (January 6th). Carnival comes from the Latin “carne vale” or “farewell to the flesh.” Carnival season is celebrated in Europe and throughout Latin America. Nice in France, Cologne in Germany, and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil all have elaborate Carnival festivities.

“Fat Tuesday” refers to the tradition of feasting on a fattened calf on the last day before Lent when, for many centuries, no meat was allowed. It is also called Shrove Tuesday from “to shrive” or hear confessions. Pancakes are another food tradition on Mardi Gras as a way to use up butter, eggs, and milk that were prohibited during Lent in the past.