Learn what the seven most recognizable Mardi Gras symbols mean. Visit Always the Holidays for info on the history & traditions of Mardi Gras! Although Mardi Gras is the most prominent time to flaunt bead necklaces, their significance extends beyond the festive season. In New Orleans, bead necklaces are also associated with other events and occasions such as Saints football games, music festivals, and various parades throughout the year. Today, there are several common bead colors seen during Mardi Gras and they each have their own meaning: Purple, green, and gold are considered the traditional Mardi Gras colors. Purple stands for justice, green for faith, and gold for power. Bead necklaces in New Orleans hold significant meanings during Mardi Gras. They symbolize camaraderie, celebration, and unity, often thrown from parade floats to spectators. Different colors carry specific symbolism: purple for justice, green for faith, and gold for power. Beads are thrown at Mardi Gras as a way for people on the floats to interact with the crowd and share in the celebration. It has become a tradition to throw beads, along with other items like stuffed animals and light-up necklaces, to the spectators during Mardi Gras parades. Over time, the bead necklaces evolved into a symbol of the festivities and a sought-after souvenir to take home as a reminder of the fun times you had during Mardi Gras. Collecting Mardi Gras beads has become a popular pastime and a way to engage with fellow parade-goers. If you think women flashing their breasts during Mardi Gras is a relatively new phenomenon, then you are mistaken. The act — and I use the word "act" here because any longtime NOLA resident will (Bourbon Street balconies during Mardi Gras are now sold to news media, large corporations, or long-term customers up to five years in advance.) Sadly, many bystanders caught in this crowd will never return to Mardi Gras, because they don't realize they did not experience the "real" Mardi Gras. During the late 1800s, inexpensive necklaces made of glass beads began to be tossed into the crowds by the parade krewes. The beads were an instant hit among the crowds of New Orleans residents and visiting Mardi Gras tourists. Mardi Gras throws are strings of beads, doubloons, cups, or other trinkets passed out or thrown from the floats for Mardi Gras celebrations, particularly in New Orleans, the Mobile, Alabama, and parades throughout the Gulf Coast of the United States, to spectators lining the streets. The "gaudy plastic jewelry, toys, and other mementos [are What do Traditional Mardi Gras Colors Mean? The traditional Mardi Gras colors are purple, green, and gold. Green represents faith, purple represents justice, and gold symbolizes power. This color scheme is thought to be borrowed from one of the oldest New Orleans krewes, or social clubs, Rex Krewe. Both Zulu and Rex hold their own parades during Mardi Gras, as well as many other Mardi-Gras-related celebrations throughout the preceding weeks. One tradition that comes before the Zulu and Rex parades is a Mardi Gras ball: a traditional dance that functions a little bit like a high school prom. When used in the context of modern tourism promotion, it generally implies a somewhat ambiguous, romanticized mélange of indigenous architecture, food, music and Old World customs. “Creole Mardi Gras” has a more specific meaning, however—referencing the celebration in the antebellum era, before the advent of the krewe system. In fact, Mardi Gras, aka Fat Tuesday, has a long history that predates the colonization of the U.S., and actually started in medieval Europe.In New Orleans, the celebration of Mardi Gras started In America, the necklaces appear innocent enough, and Mardi Gras revelers seem to love them; in fact, 25 million pounds get distributed each year. Yet they pose a danger to people and the environment. 144PCS Mardi Gras Beads Necklaces - 33" Assorted Colors Beaded Necklaces for Mardi Gras, Carnival, Pirate Parties, Masquerade and Christmas, Bulk Parade Throws and Party Favors for Men and Women 4.7 out of 5 stars 525
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