A friend of mine said "isn't it funny how Mardi Gras is right before lent?". So it got me wondering and in case you were wondering too....
Mardi Gras is literally translated into Fat Tuesday. Fat Tuesday is when people would tend to eat more fattening foods to store up while fasting during lent. Mardi Gras begins the day after the Epiphany (12 days after Christmas) and ends at midnight before Ash Wednesday. The colors that represent Mardi Gras are purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power). Many people make and eat a "Kings cake" during Mardi Gras. This was a symbol of the 3 kings bringing gifts. Mardi Gras in other cultures is called "carnival" which translates to "farewell to flesh". Whether or not Mardi Gras is a Christian based holiday or a pagan holiday is highly disputed. Much of the drinking and nudity that it has become known for in New Orleans is looked down upon except for in the French Quarters (where the parades don't even go). Most people who live there view it as a family celebration and a time to see the "greatest free show on earth". All of this info I found on the net so I can't confirm its legitimacy. Any thought?
1 comment:
it's a little late for this year, but how about a neighborhood mardi gras parade next year? ha ha. i like the sound of fat tuesday! too bad i forgot that was today, or i would have done it justice.
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