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And that history is far more religious than we usually recognize. Mardi Gras is French for ‘Fat Tuesday.’ Mardi Gras is the final day of the festivities known as Carnival and is celebrated in predominately Catholic locations around the world—most famously in cities such as New Orleans and Rio de Jainaro. Surprisingly, Mardi Gras long predates Christianity. The earlier record of the even comes from ancient times when tribes celebrated a fertility festival that welcomed the arrival of spring and a a Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. It's most famously celebrated with parades in New Orleans That’s because Christian Mardi Gras is the final day before Lent begins. Lent is a period of 40 weekdays that, in the Christian Church, devoted to fasting, abstinence and penitence. The traditional purpose of Lent is to prepare believers for the annual commemoration of how Jesus gave up his life for his followers, and the miracle that was His The History of New Orleans Mardi Gras . Although the date of the first organized celebration of Mardi Gras in New Orleans is debatable, the 1730 account of one Marc-Antoine Caillot (a young clerk sent to Louisiana by the French Company of the Indies) mentions a celebration with music and dance, mask-wearing and costumes—including cross-dressing. ORIGIN OF MARDI GRAS. The History Channel’s website (www.history.com) has the following opening remarks about Mardi Gras: “A Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon, Mardi Gras dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. Also known as Carnival, it is celebrated in many countries around the world–mainly Mardi Gras "is a lively, colorful [not to mention bawdy and debased] celebration held on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent begins," says the World Book Encyclopedia. It " goes back to an ancient Roman custom of merrymaking before a period of fast. History of Mardi Gras. The history of Mardi Gras is a long and complex one, with roots that date back to ancient times. Many historians believe that the festival has its origins in pagan celebrations of spring, which often involved fertility rites and other forms of revelry. Mardi Gras became an “official” Christian holiday in 1582, when Pope Gregory XIII instituted the namesake Gregorian calendar still in use today. By recognizing Mardi Gras as an overture to Lent, the idea was for all the partying and foolery to be over with when it came time to observe the requisite austerities. The Christian church played a significant role in shaping the early history of Mardi Gras. In the 5th century, the Catholic Church introduced the concept of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and abstinence from meat, wine, and other luxuries . 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] 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. Whether you prefer classic Mardi Gras attire or something more avant-garde, there is no denying the impact that Mardi Gras fashion has had on the holiday’s rich and fascinating history. Best Places to Celebrate Mardi Gras Around the World. Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is a popular celebration just before the Christian season of Lent. Fat Tuesday, also known as ‘Mardi Gras,’ is a French celebration. Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of the Christian Lent season, is observed on this day.Many Christians fast during Lent, which is known as Fat Tuesday, and the date is typically the last day of eating richer foods before the start of Lent. 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. In Christian cultures, Mardi Gras, also known as Carnival and Shrove Tuesday, is the last day before the beginning of Lent, a period of fasting and repentance leading up to Easter. The date of Mardi Gras is 41 days before Easter Sunday, whose date varies from year to year. Beads and Throws: “Throw Me Something, Mister!” credit: explorelouisiana.com The tradition of throwing trinkets into the crowd dates back to the 1870s, when the Krewe of Rex—one of the oldest and most prestigious Mardi Gras krewes—began the custom of tossing glass beads to revelers. Brian Costello, author of Carnival in Louisiana: Celebrating Mardi Gras from the French Quarter to the Red River, writes, "The Carnival season and Mardi Gras day trace their roots from the Bacchanalia and Saturnalia ritual promiscuity of Roman times. With the spread of Christianity, similar revelry occurred during the period of carnival (Latin 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. Mardi Gras: History and Significance Introduction Mardi Gras, a vibrant celebration characterized by lively parades, colorful costumes, and delicious food, holds a special place in the hearts of many around the world. Understanding the origins and traditions of Mardi Gras not only enhances our appreciation for the festivities but also connects us to a rich tapestry of cultural history. This
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