Laborde verifies that the colors of Mardi Gras can be traced to the first Rex parade in 1872. He cites newspapers of the day that included a proclamation from the King of the Carnival deigning that balconies should be draped in purple, green and gold. Learn the origins and symbolism of the three colors that shape the Mardi Gras carnival in New Orleans: purple for justice, green for faith, and gold for power. Discover how these colors reflect the history, culture, and traditions of the city and the event. The Mardi Gras colors weren’t given an official meaning until 1892, when the Rex parade had the theme “Symbolism of Colors.” That’s the year it was decided that purple stood for justice, The colorful tradition of Mardi Gras has spread far beyond the festivities in New Orleans and wider Louisiana. Mardi Gras is now celebrated in cities across the United States and around the world – and purple, green and gold go along for the ride. Anywhere Mardi Gras is observed, the three colors dominate proceedings. During the 1892 Rex parade, themed “the Symbolism of Colors”, the Mardi Gras colors received their meanings: purple = justice, green = faith, and gold = power. In 1893, Louisiana State University ‘s school colors changed, from blue and white, to purple and gold. The colors of Mardi Gras have their roots in the French tradition of using colors to symbolize the Christian faith. The three main colors – purple, green, and gold – were chosen to represent the Trinity, with purple symbolizing royalty, green representing faith, and gold representing purity. The colors have become so intertwined with Mardi Gras that their mere presence can evoke the spirit of the celebration, even in places far from New Orleans. Cultural Evolution and Global Influence. The impact of these Mardi Gras colors has spread well beyond their initial purpose, inspiring artists, designers, and cultural festivities globally. The Colors of Mardi Gras. The traditional colors of Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold. These colors are often displayed in the form of elaborate floats, costumes, and decorations, and are an essential part of the celebration. Purple. Purple, the first color of Mardi Gras, represents justice. Delving into the world of Mardi Gras colors unveils a fascinating story that intertwines history, folklore, and the human desire for joy and celebration. Purple: Justice and Royalty. The regal hue of purple reigns supreme in the Mardi Gras color palette, symbolizing justice, royalty, and spiritual devotion. We’ll look at the origins of how these colors came to represent Mardi Gras in New Orleans and the roles they play in the parades, costumes, and celebrations. Understanding the background of the Mardi Gras colors provides a deeper appreciation for the rich culture and customs around this world-famous carnival. The Mardi Gras colors have roots in European courtly traditions and the Catholic Church. Purple was associated with royalty and spiritual devotion, green with hope and renewal, and gold with wealth and abundance. The Mardi Gras Indians symbolize a unique connection between African and Indigenous heritage in the Crescent City. Mardi Gras historian and WYES-TV Rex ball co-host [42] Errol Laborde presented a theory that the colors were based on heraldry: all three colors correspond to a heraldic tincture, and Rex's goal may have been to create a tricolor to represent their "kingdom". Purple was widely associated with royalty, while white was already heavily used on Click on the Mardi Gras krewes below for further information about the krewe and to see their usual route for each parade. Please note: Events and activities are subject to change without notice. Stay tuned to the site for further info. The first ball was held in 1857 by the Mistick Krewe of Comus. Comus hosted the first parade, followed by Rex in 1872, which debuted the king of Mardi Gras. The Rex parade gave Mardi Gras the official colors of purple to represent justice, green to represent faith, and gold to represent power. The three colors were to represent the “king.” What's the story behind this trio of colors, though? Like most things Mardi Gras, the tradition has historic roots. The Rex organization in New Orleans first proclaimed purple, green, and gold the official Mardi Gras parade colors in 1872, according to Mardi Gras New Orleans. In 1892, the organization declared that purple represents justice
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