Mardi Gras

By Lauren Trevor

Gold, purple and green are three colors you can expect to see on Tuesday, February 17th. For those of you who aren’t already aware, this day is known as both Fat Tuesday, and less-commonly, Mardi Gras. In order to better understand this holiday and better prepare for any festivities to come, here are some important aspects about the date.

Mardi Gras is, as said before, on Fat Tuesday (day before Ash Wednesday) and is always exactly 47 days before Easter Sunday. Though today it has strong connections to the Christian Faith, it is believed that the origins of Mardi Gras date back thousands of years to large pagan ceremonies for spring and fertility. It acquired its Christian roots when the faith first arrived in Rome. As the faith became more and more prominent, leaders in Rome decided it was far easier to integrate the festivals into the religion rather than simply doing away with them, as they were a large characteristic of the local culture.

Mardi Gras festivals are a very important part of culture in different countries like Brazil, Italy, and the U.S. (the biggest festival in the U.S. is located in New Orleans) and many people, even those not of faith take part in the celebration. Some of the festivities one can expect to see include large parades, feasts, and dancing. During parades, beads and other small gifts are thrown out of the floats for the crowds to enjoy. Many patrons dress up in lavish costumes styled in gold, purple, and green, with glitter, feathers, and other brilliant ornaments, including elaborate masks.

Whether or not you are of faith, this festival is truly a sight to see, so grab some glitter and feathers and make a mask in celebration!