Why Is Mardi Gras Celebrated?

Mardi gras is one of the wildest celebrations in New Orleans. Festivities happen during the period between the Christian Epiphany and Fat Tuesday. Fat Tuesday is the same day as the Catholic celebration of Shrove Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday is a religious holiday to mark the day before the beginning of the forty days of Lent. The celebration of excesses that occurs during Mardi Gras comes from the tradition that, just before the season of Lent, people would indulge in all the things that they would “give up” for Lent, which was a time of penance.

Mardi Gras signifies the beginning of Lent in Christianity. Lent is a period that begins with Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. It lasts approximately forty days each year. It’s a period of penitence, fasting, and prayer that prepares Christians for Easter, the holiday about the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In the Bible, Lent also signifies the forty days that Jesus spent in the desert. During this time, he fasted, and also was tempted at several different moments by Satan. Jesus was able to endure the temptations, and remained holy throughout the forty days.

During this period of Lent, in most Western Christian faiths, the believers have to give up something that is a vice in their lives, something that would be difficult to part with, or do something that is difficult for them to do. For example, some individuals sacrifice alcohol during this period, or promise to volunteer at least twice a week. The object that you choose to give up, or the task that you choose to do, should be a sacrifice.

Mardi Gras Celebrations

In the secular world, Fat Tuesday is more of a celebration of excess and indulgence and is one last celebration before the beginning of the period of Lent and sacrifice. Each city celebrates Mardi Gras in their own way; but, generally, during Mardi Gras people dress in costumes, feast on great food, drink, dance and generally enjoy themselves. There is typically a Mardi Gras Day parade though the city with floats and dancers.

Mardi Gras in New Orleans

The Mardi Gras celebration is the social event of the year in New Orleans. Celebrations last from Epiphany until Ash Wednesday with the majority of the celebrations concentrated in the two weeks before Lent with a series of parades and masquerade balls.

Crowning the King and Queen

During the celebration, there is a court of royal persons crowned. There is a king and queen, along with their princes and princesses and courtesans. This royal court presides over the Mardi Gras for the year and then the crown is passed to the next year's winners.

The biggest secret during the year is who will be crowned the next King and Queen of Mardi Gras. Preparations go on all year long to be ready for the Gala Ball. The annual ball is a grand event and is the scene for the social introduction of all debutantes. It is a night of dancing and feasting.

Marti Gras Masquerade Balls

The invitations to one of the balls that occur during the Mardi Gras celebration are works of art and considered valuable additions to any art collection. In the past, Mardi Gras Ball invitations were dye cut and printed in Paris. Not everyone is invited to the more aristocratic balls but no one should feel left out when there are even governors that don’t receive invitations.

Mardi Gras Parades

On the weekend before Mardi Gras Day in New Orleans (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday), the city hosts a number of parades. For example, there is a women’s parade called "Muses" on the Thursday before. On the Friday, there are the "Krewe de Hermes" parade and the "Krewe D’Etat" parades.

Mardi Gras Beads

New Orleans float riders, known as "crews," toss prizes and souvenirs into the crowd. For example, beads are thrown into the crowd, as well as decorated plastic cups and small toys. The beads are typically the Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold. They represent the virtuous traits of justice, honor and truth.

During the debauchery that ensues, throughout the streets of the French Quarter, women even barter looks at their breasts to be rewarded with strings of these colorful beads.

Mardi Gras in Brazil

Brazil is also known for its celebration of Mardi Gras. The three cities in Brazil that are best known for their celebrations are Rio de Janeiro, Recife, and Salvador.

• In Rio de Janeiro, the city is known for its famous Escolas de Samba parades each year.
• In Recife, the celebration begins a week before the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. It begins with the electric trios “shaking” in the city.
• In Salvador, the city is known for having one of the biggest street parties in the world to celebrate Mardi Gras. The party lasts for an entire week, and frequently features almost two million people.

Mardi Gras is celebrated by cultures across the globe, in different ways, and lasting varying amounts of time.