Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. Brazil, Venice and New Orleans play host to some of Mardi Gras (UK: / ˌ m ɑːr d i ˈ ɡ r ɑː /, US: / ˈ m ɑːr d i ɡ r ɑː /; [1] [2] also known as Shrove Tuesday) is the final day of Carnival (also known as Shrovetide or Fastelavn); it thus falls on the day before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. [3] Through the centuries, authorities have tried to restrict the hedonistic elements of the celebration–with little success. Masks are probably the best-known element of Venetian Mardi Gras, known for their extraordinary flamboyance. Brazil’s Mardi Gras runs from the Friday before Ash Wednesday until noon Ash Wednesday, when Lent officially Carnival, Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, Lent The Carnival of Brazil ( Portuguese : Carnaval do Brasil , IPA: [kaʁnaˈvaw] ) is an annual festival held the Friday afternoon before Ash Wednesday at noon, which marks the beginning of Lent , the forty-day period before Easter. When did Mardi Gras start in America? The very first American Mardi Gras celebration took place in March 1699 after two French settlers landed near present-day New Orleans and brought their traditions with them. The French colonists who followed over the proceeding decades introduced the "Galette des Rois," or king cake, which is how it became Short TimeLine of the Mardi Gras in Rio de Janeiro . 1845 ---- Modern Brazilian Carnival finds its roots in Rio de Janeiro in the year 1845, when the city's bourgeoisie imported the practice of holding balls and masquerade parties from Paris. What does Mardi Gras mean? In French, Mardi means “Tuesday” and gras means “fat.” That’s why the day is also referred to as Fat Tuesday. The word originated in France and was what people used to describe the day before Ash Wednesday, when they would binge on rich foods such as meat, eggs, milk, and cheese before Lent began. The History of Brazil’s Carnival. Mardi Gras is thought to have originated from a Greek spring festival that was held each year to honour Dionysus, or as he was known by the Romans, Bacchus, the god of wine and good times. The spring festival was later modified by the Roman Catholic Church to become an event that marked the beginning of Lent. Today, Mardi Gras is celebrated in many different parts of the world, each with its unique flavor and style. While the modern-day Mardi Gras celebrations may differ from their ancient predecessors, the spirit of the holiday remains the same. Mardi Gras is a time to let loose, enjoy life, and revel in the joys of community and camaraderie. There is no pinpointing the origins of the celebration known today as Carnival or Mardi Gras. Indeed, because its most elemental characteristics — drinking and feasting, dancing and music, masks and costumes — extend back into the mists of time, there’s no tidy way to connect the dots between prehistoric cave paintings of dancing stick-like figures wearing animal masks and the modern pre Shrove Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras, marks not only the last day of Carnival but also the last day observants can eat meat and enjoy other indulgences before Lent. Mardi Gras on Bourbon Street is known for booze, flashing and bead-throwing, while parades elsewhere in the city feature floats, doubloon coins and Moon Pies. How Did Mardi Gras Start. Mardi Gras, also called Carnival, is a festive season that occurs before the Christian season of Lent. The word “mardi” means “fat” in French, and “gras” means “fatty.” Mardi Gras is thus a celebration of fat and indulgence before the period of fasting and abstinence that Lent represents. Mardi Gras is a festive day celebrated in France on Shrove Tuesday (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday), which marks the close of the pre-Lenten season. The French name Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday, from the custom of using all the fats in the home before Lent. Mardi Gras is not just for humans; New Orleans hosts a "Krewe of Barkus" parade, where dogs don costumes and join the fun. The largest Mardi Gras float ever built was over 330 feet long and carried more than 200 riders. Mardi Gras in Popular Culture. Mardi Gras has made its mark in popular culture, appearing in movies, music, and literature. The energy and excitement of Mardi Gras provide a welcome break from the routines of everyday life, allowing people to experience a sense of freedom and spontaneity. Conclusion. Mardi Gras is much more than just a party; it is a celebration with deep historical, cultural, and spiritual roots. Mardi Gras arrived in North America as a sedate French Catholic tradition with the Le Moyne brothers, [3] Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville and Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, in the late 17th century, when King Louis XIV sent the pair to defend France's claim on the territory of Louisiane, which included what are now the U.S. states of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. When New Orleans embraced Mardi Gras parading in 1856, floats and costumed were borrowed from Mobile that first year. That would seem to make it a clear case that Mobile started Mardi Gras, at The History of Mardi Gras What is the origin of Mardi Gras? Mardi Gras has its origins in medieval Europe, especially in France and Italy. The tradition was brought to the United States by French explorers in the 17th century. It became widely celebrated in New Orleans, Louisiana, where it has grown into the famous festival we know today. French for Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras is always on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. This year it will be held on Tuesday Feb. 13. Mardi Gras is only one day but the Mardi Gras season, also known as the carnival season, can last for weeks culminating on Fat Tuesday. Many people assume that New Orleans is the birthplace of Mardi Gras. However, many
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