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Mardi Gras masks in particular originated in ritual celebrations. New Orleans has been celebrating Mardi Gras for hundreds of years, and is the largest masked party in North America. In the beginning, masks worn during Mardi Gras allowed wearers to escape society and class constraints. Today, masks continue to be at the heart of the spirit of Mardi Gras. “Riding on a float is a privilege and wearing a mask is sacred,” notes Bertucceli. History of Mardi Gras masks. If you find yourself in New Orleans, watching the Mardi Gras parade, you’ll see many people wearing Mardi Gras masks. You may be surprised to find out that wearing masks is one of the original Mardi Gras traditions. The Mardi Gras mask history dates back to the very first Mardi Gras celebrations. 1. It’s illegal to mount on a parade float without a mask on Mardi Gras. 2. Continuing wearing masks on Ash Wednesday is regarded a rude gesture and a sign of mockery of the Lenten season. Mardi Gras is derived from the French term ‘Fat Tuesday’ which is also known as ‘Shrove Tuesday’ and falls on a Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. While a modern-day Mardi Gras mask may not serve the same purpose, anonymity still adds a touch of freedom and mystery to the festive occasion. Today, the tradition lives on as parade float riders in New Orleans are still required to don Mardi Gras masks, a nod to the rich history of the tradition. Venetian masks are some of the most popular and recognizable, and it is obvious that Mardi Gras draws inspiration from them. There are even entire stores in Louisiana dedicated to masks, most notable of which being Maskarade in New Orleans. Located only a minute away from the St. Louis Cathedral, it is home to a huge selection of Mardi Gras masks. Wherever Mardi Gras is celebrated, the mask is key. Behind the best masks, they can’t tell whether you are laughing or crying. They can’t tell how absolutely drunk you are. The mask helps erase consequence. “Riders want folks to say, ‘Well, I didn’t see you on Mardi Gras!,’” claims Iota Louisiana mask-maker Jackie Miller. Originally, Mardi Gras masks were used to conceal identities and encourage social mingling during these lively events. By the 18th century, masks became integral to Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, allowing you to escape societal constraints and engage freely in the festivities. Mardi Gras masks provide the freedom to hide behind, or embrace, the creature of our choosing, real or made-up—even, in James R Creecy’s words, “manbats from the moon.” Modern Trends in Mardi Gras Masks. As Mardi Gras continues to evolve, so too do the styles and designs of the masks. Modern trends in mask-making reflect the creativity and innovation of contemporary artists. Some current trends include: 1. Sustainable Materials: With growing awareness of environmental issues, many mask-makers are opting for Mardi Gras is bursting with vibrant traditions, and few are as iconic as attending parades, indulging in delicious and colorful king cakes and donning elaborate Mardi Gras masks. But have you ever Mardi Gras has a significant economic impact on the city of New Orleans, with millions of dollars generated in revenue each year. The use of Mardi Gras colors in advertising and marketing reflects the economic importance of the carnival season, which is a major driver of tourism and commerce in the city. The Merchandising of Mardi Gras Venetian masks are some of the most popular and recognizable, and it is obvious that Mardi Gras draws inspiration from them. There are even entire stores in Louisiana dedicated to masks, most notable of which being Maskarade in New Orleans. Located only a minute away from the St. Louis Cathedral, it is home to a huge selection of Mardi Gras masks. Mardi Gras, the vibrant and joyous celebration preceding Lent, is a kaleidoscope of color, music, and revelry. From the dazzling costumes to the elaborate floats, the festival is a feast for the senses. But have you ever stopped to consider the meaning behind the iconic Mardi Gras colors? Mardi Gras is bursting with vibrant traditions, and few are as iconic as attending parades, indulging in delicious and colorful king cakes and donning elaborate Mardi Gras masks. But have you ever What is the meaning of Mardi Gras masks today? Skip Bolen/WireImage/Getty Images . Today, masks continue to be at the heart of the spirit of Mardi Gras. “Riding on a float is a privilege and Mardi Gras is a rowdy secular celebration that has been part of the official Catholic Church calendar since 1582. The season of merriment, which begins on Epiphany and ends on Fat Tuesday, is filled with rambunctious masquerading in the streets and mysterious masked balls. The New Orleans version of Mardi Gras is renowned for its parades, floats, masks, beads, and elaborate costumes, and it draws millions of visitors from around the world each year. The Rise of Krewes One of the defining features of Mardi Gras in New Orleans is the krewes , or social organizations, that are responsible for organizing the parades About It: Masks make up an integral part of the cultural expression in Mardi Gras. They can involve anything from tie-ons that are only eye obscuring to full face masks that resemble a jester. They can involve anything from tie-ons that are only eye obscuring to full face masks that resemble a jester.
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Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
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