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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 According to the Mardi Gras New Orleans, Mardi Gras celebrations were common in the city by the 1730s, although the first recorded Mardi Gras parade didn’t float through the New Orlean’s What does Mardi Gras mean? Translated to English, "Mardi Gras" means "Fat Tuesday." Mardi is the French word for Tuesday, and gras means "fat." This name comes from the custom of eating all the fatty, rich foods in the house prior to Lent in order to prepare for fasting and abstinence. So, Fat Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. 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. On March 2, 1699, French-Canadian explorer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville arrived at a plot of ground 60 miles directly south of New Orleans, and named it "Pointe du Mardi Gras" when his men realized it was the eve of the festive holiday. Bienville also established "Fort Louis de la Louisiane" (which is now Mobile) in 1702. If you visit Mardi Gras during the final two weeks (leading to Ash Wednesday), you’ll be treated to virtually non-stop parades—which are considered the very heart of Mardi Gras. That means spectacular floats, costumes beyond the imagination, and marching bands, the likes of which you’re unlikely to encounter anywhere else in the country. This period is filled with citywide revelry and elaborate parades, both day and night, building up to Mardi Gras and the Rex parade. Beads of gold, green, and purple (representing power, faith, and justice , respectively) are commonly distributed, and the eating of king cake is an iconic part of the celebration. A Mardi Gras parade on Royal Street in Mobile during the 2006 season. Mobile, founded by Bienville in 1702, is known for having the oldest organized Mardi Gras celebrations in the United States, beginning in 1703. [9] It was also host to the first formally organized Mardi Gras parade in the United States in 1830. [9] [23] [24] This marked the first large-scale cancellation of Mardi Gras parades since the 1979 police strike. [25] [26] Other krewes subsequently announced that they would cancel their in-person balls, including Endymion and Rex (who therefore did not name a King and Queen of Mardi Gras for the first time since World War II). [27] [25] [26] And in 1872, Rex, the king of Mardi Gras made his debut. Today, hundreds of Mardi Gras clubs (krewes) host grand balls and dozens of parade. Balls and Parades . Mardi Gras balls are opulent affairs with kings, queens, royal courts, and an abundance of pomp and pageantry. Where did Mardi Gras originate from? Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday with roots that go all the way back to pagan and spring fertility rites, according to History.com. Like many of the holidays we celebrate today, those early pagan traditions were merged with Roman Catholic holidays that resemble the ones we observe today. The Rex Parade is one of the most famous and historic Mardi Gras parades, featuring the King of Carnival. Conclusion Mardi Gras is more than just a day of parades and parties; it is a deep-rooted tradition with a fascinating history and unique customs. Where did Mardi Gras originate from? Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday with roots that go all the way back to pagan and spring fertility rites, according to History.com. Like many of the holidays we celebrate today, those early pagan traditions were merged with Roman Catholic holidays that resemble the ones we observe today. 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. In the U.S., the origin of Mardi Gras is a somewhat debated topic. The city of Mobile claims that it was the first city recorded to have the oldest organized Mardi Gras, dating back to 1703. In the U.S., the origin of Mardi Gras is a somewhat debated topic. The city of Mobile claims that it was the first city recorded to have the oldest organized Mardi Gras, dating back to 1703. Where did Mardi Gras originate from? Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday with roots that go all the way back to pagan and spring fertility rites, according to History.com. Like many of the holidays we celebrate today, those early pagan traditions were merged with Roman Catholic holidays that resemble the ones we observe today. Where did Mardi Gras originate from? Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday with roots that go all the way back to pagan and spring fertility rites, according to History.com. Like many of the holidays we celebrate today, those early pagan traditions were merged with Roman Catholic holidays that resemble the ones we observe today. Where did Mardi Gras originate from? Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday with roots that go all the way back to pagan and spring fertility rites, according to History.com. Like many of the holidays we celebrate today, those early pagan traditions were merged with Roman Catholic holidays that resemble the ones we observe today. Where did Mardi Gras originate from? Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday with roots that go all the way back to pagan and spring fertility rites, according to History.com. Like many of the holidays we celebrate today, those early pagan traditions were merged with Roman Catholic holidays that resemble the ones we observe today.
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