The Traditions Of Mardi Gras And What They Mean

The Traditions of Mardi Gras
In the traditions of Mardi Gras lies roots of Christianity and symbolisms of paganism. Mardi Gras is celebrated the week preceding Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras traditions are widely embraced in the deep south, particularly New Orleans where Mardi Gras is synonymous with the atmosphere of gaiety, frivolity and tradition.

The Traditions Of Mardi Gras And What They Mean
During Mardi Gras, the traditions are masquerading, gala parades, crowning of a Mardi Gras King and Queen and feasting upon a special Three Kings Cake baked with a special coin or doll inside. The individual receiving the slice of cake with the coin or doll is said to have good luck the year through.

In New Orleans, streets are lined with masked crowds wearing traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, gold and green. These colors symbolize Baltazar, Melchior and Gaspar, the Three Kings bearing gifts to the Christ Child on Twelfth Night. In New Orleans, wearing strings and strings of beads in these colors is also a tradition. As the raucous days of Mardi Gras dwindle down to Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, another tradition emerges: pancake eating contests before Lenten fast and abstinence begins.

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