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The typical colors of Mardi Gras beads, also called “throws,” were established in 1872. The traditional colors of the beads are purple, green, and gold, which represent justice, faith, and 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 Mardi Gras parade revelers have a blast catching the beads all in fun. In fact, every year, over 25 million pounds of Mardi Gras beads are thrown from floats. 6 Each year, more than 1 million people descend on New Orleans for Mardi Gras, an organized parade of debauchery and alcohol-induced torpor where plastic beads are tossed as a kind of currency. Mardi Gras Beads & Throws . Well, they are exactly what they sound like - items that krewe members on floats throw to parade-goers as the floats pass by! Throws Mardi Gras beads have become more than just a fun trinket thrown during parades; they also play a significant role in the collecting and souvenir culture of the festival. You might have noticed that people strive to collect as many bead necklaces as possible, flaunting their colorful collections around their necks. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the history and significance of Mardi Gras beads, including their cultural origins and what they symbolize. We’ll also explore the different types of beads you can expect to see at Mardi Gras and why they are such a sought-after prize for party-goers. Aaron Franklin,12, gets ready to hand down a prized spear gets ready to throw a coveted spear from the A&B Tire and Truck Services float Krewe of Good Friends of the Oaks Mardi Gras parade in Port Float riders toss beads, cups and doubloons to fans and revelers in the 2013 Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras Parade on Feb. 10, 2013, in New Orleans Skip Bolen—Getty Images Beads and Throws Mardi Gras Parade-goers in New Orleans don’t just stand by and watch. Parades are an interactive experience where people dance and scream, “Throw me something, mister!” to acquire beads and various throws. According to the Audubon Institute, float riders toss about 25 million pounds of beads throughout the season to honor a beloved carnival tradition. The problem is that petroleum-based plastic beads typically thrown at Mardi Gras, produced from natural gas and oil-derived feedstock, degrade very slowly, releasing heavy metals and other toxins into the environment with devastating effects. How to Choose the Perfect Mardi Gras Beads. When choosing Mardi Gras beads, it’s important to select ones that resonate with you. Here are some tips to help you make the best choice: Color: Go for colors that reflect your personality or the theme of your celebration. Size: Consider the size of the beads. Larger ones can be more eye-catching The first Mardi Gras was held by French settlers on March 3, 1699, in Mobile, Alabama, once the capital of the Louisiana territory. In the late 1820s, the custom of dressing in colorful costumes In bead parlance, "throw" is not a verb but rather an adjective signifying necklaces typically purchased in bulk and meant to be thrown—i.e., from a balcony or Mardi Gras float—or given away as freebies. There are scattered historical references to beads, the throw most associated with New Orleans Mardi Gras, being tossed from parade floats. However, beads were popularized by Rex in 1921, during the krewe’s fiftieth anniversary and the city’s first large-scale Carnival following a run of canceled years due to World War I . Why Do We Throw Mardi Gras Beads? According to ehow.com, Mardi Gras started in Medieval Europe and eventually moved to New Orleans.In 1703, the small French-Canadian settlement of Fort Louis de la Mobile held its first Mardi Gras celebration. When we yell “Throw me something, Mister!” at Mardi Gras in New Orleans, we really mean “throw me something cool.” Unlike parades in other parts of the world where you just watch, Mardi Gras parades are an interactive activity and the better your booty haul at the end of the night, the better you consider the parade. Q: What movie features Mardi Gras celebrations at the climax, starring a well-known action hero? A: “Jaws 2” (1978) Mardi Gras Fun Facts. Q: How many beads are estimated to be thrown during Mardi Gras in New Orleans each year? A: Over 25 million beads. Q: Which U.S. president declared Mardi Gras a legal holiday in Louisiana? Q Why are beads thrown during Mardi Gras parades? A. Throwing beads and other trinkets is a tradition that symbolizes good luck and prosperity. Catching these items According to Carnival historian Errol Laborde, the first reports of items being thrown as part of an official Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans came in the early 1870s with the Twelfth Night Revelers. Following their parade, which featured a “Mother Goose’s Tea Party” theme, a man in a Santa suit tossed gifts to the crowds from his bag.
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