The Story Behind The Party
Mardi Gras is the ultimate celebration, renowned for its vibrant parades and dazzling costumes that define this iconic festival.
But how much do you really know about the origins and secrets behind the world’s greatest party?
What Is Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras is the last celebration of Carnival, which is a festival before the Christian fasting season called Lent.
Lent is a solemn time and represent the 40 days and nights that Jesus spent in the desert. Mardi Gras is the last big celebration before people engage in more somber traditions for Lent.
Fat Tuesday
In French, Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday”. That name refers to all the meat and fatty food people eat that night before they start fasting.
Shrove Tuesday
In medieval times, Mardi Gras was called Shrove Tuesday.
In those days, “to shrive” meant to confess, and people used this day to atone for their sins before Lent. “Shrove” was the past tense of shrive.
Photo by John T Mendes via [1], Picryl
Pancake Day
In places like the UK, Ireland, and Australia, Mardi Gras is known as Pancake Day.
This tradition dates back to the early days of the Catholic Church when, during Lent, people were prohibited from consuming foods derived from "flesh"—dairy, fat, and eggs. To avoid wasting these ingredients, people would make pancakes as a way to use them up before the fasting period began.
Party Time
The length of a Mardi Gras celebration differs based on where you are in the world. Some Mardi Gras are only held on the day before Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent.
Others last for the entire three-day period before Lent.
Infrogmation of New Orleans, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Mardi Gras Krewes
The Mardi Gras floats in New Orleans are run by groups called “krewes”.
Each krewe has their own distinct theme, but they must also have a “royal court” that includes kings, queens, dukes, and duchesses.
Happy Mermaid, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Rex Krewe
The Rex krewe is one of the most famous krewes. This all-male group has been hosting Mardi Gras parties since 1872.
The royal colors of the Rex king—purple, green, and gold—have become tradition for the entire Mardi Gras celebration.
The Zulu Krewe
The Zulu krewe is another well-known group in Mardi Gras history. Formed during the days of segregation, this all-black krewe has sparked controversy in recent years. The blackface worn as part of their costume is meant to honor the Zulu warriors of South Africa, although it remains a point of contention today.
The Zulu krewe is also credited with starting the tradition of throwing gifts to the crowd, beginning with gold-painted walnuts.
Brad Coy, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The King Cake
The king cake is the most famous dish at Mardi Gras. The colorful, circular cake is baked with a tiny baby doll in the middle, which is said to represent baby Jesus.
The person who gets the slice of cake with the baby in it gets to be king for the day.
America’s First Mardi Gras
New Orleans may be home to one of the world’s most famous Mardi Gras celebrations, but Mardi Gras in America began in Mobile, Alabama.
Journals from a French explorer named Piere Le Moyne D’Iberville, suggest he practiced a mass on the day of Mardi Gras. Pierre founded Mobile in 1702.
The First Mardi Gras In New Orleans
New Orleans’ first recorded Mardi Gras took place in 1833, but floats were not included in the parade until two decades later.
The ball themes and tableaus that are popular in the New Orleans Mardi Gras became traditions across the country and have made the city renowned for its celebration.
Harsh Critics
Mardi Gras wasn’t always the beloved celebration it is today in New Orleans. Under Spanish rule from 1762 to 1800, certain Mardi Gras traditions were banned. When the United States took control in 1803, they continued the opposition, outlawing masquerade balls and the wearing of masks in public.
Mardi Gras Beads
Every visitor gets iconic souvenirs from Mardi Gras: Beaded necklaces.
Krewes started throwing beaded necklaces to crowds in the 1960s and it’s become one of Mardi Gras’ most well-known traditions.
Not So Eco-Friendy
Mardi Gras is a great party for us, but it doesn’t do much good for the environment. All the beads, decorations, and drink cups add up to a lot of trash.
New Orleans estimates that it disposes of 2.5 million pounds of garbage from Mardi Gras each year.
Sustainability Efforts
Some people have taken to cleaning up the streets after the celebrations and there are small organizations that help organize trash collection during the parade.
Some groups are even making beaded necklaces from biodegradable materials.
Mardi Gras Masks
Costumes and masks are essential to the spirit of Mardi Gras, with many cultures offering their own unique take on the tradition. Among the most iconic are the Venetian masks, which trace their origins back to the Carnival in Venice.
This centuries-old celebration is believed to have been inspired by the Roman festival of Saturnalia, where people wore masks to shed societal constraints and fully embrace their revelry.
Helena Jankovičová Kováčová, Pexels
Mardi Gras Masks (cont’d)
While Venetian masks are the most-known, Mardi Gras masks come in all shapes and sizes.
Some look like animals or creatures from myths, while others look more like clowns or medieval knights. Feathers and bright colors are typical decorations for Mardi Gras masks.
The Biggest Mari Gras Celebrations
The Mardi Gras in New Orleans is one of the most popular among tourists, but the festival is celebrated all over the world.
Venice and Brazil also have carnival festivities that attract up to 3 million visitors each year.
Terry George, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
A Strange Tradition
Belgium has one of the most unique Mardi Gras traditions. During the parade, the performers throw oranges at the crowd.
This odd custom is also observed in the Italian town of Ivrea, which hosts an epic Battle of the Oranges each Mardi Gras.
Ancient Origins
While many people believe Mardi Gras has roots in ancient Roman celebrations of spring and fertility, like Saturnalia and Lupercalia, historians argue that the festival’s true origins lie with the Catholic Church.
In an effort to discourage indulgence during Lent, the Church encouraged people to celebrate and feast before the fasting period began—giving birth to the exuberant pre-Lenten festivities we know as Mardi Gras today.
Janis Johnson, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Mistick Krewe Of Comus
The Mistick Krewe of Comus was the first Mardi Gras krewe in New Orleans. It’s said that they began as a secret society in the late 1850s.
At the time, Mardi Gras was losing popularity. The Mistick Krewe of Comus changed all that by hosting a grand ball and introducing floats to the parade.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
More Krewes Are Made
Other secret societies took after the Mistick Krewe of Comus and came up with their own krewes. At the time, secret societies were exclusive to the demographics they served, and there are still all-male, all-female, and all-Black krewes today.
There are also many interracial and co-ed krewes, and each has their own distinct float during the parade.
thepipe26, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Krewe Themes
The krewes decorate their floats and make their costumes according to a theme, which changes every year. Many krewes start working on their floats for the following year right after Mardi Gras ends.
Colorful Meanings
In 1982, two decades after the Krewe of Rex officially established green, gold, and purple as the traditional colors of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras, they gave those colors deeper symbolic meaning.
Since then, green has come to represent faith, gold stands for power, and purple symbolizes justice—adding an extra layer of significance to the vibrant celebration.
Where To Watch Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is a popular festival for New Orleans locals and tourists alike. While it is one big party, certain parts of the celebration are far less PG than others.
If you’re looking to make your Mardi Gras more family-friendly, stay uptown during the parade. If you don’t mind a little skin, head over to the French Quarter.
mike connor, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Legal Requirements
Masks are more than a tradition at New Orleans’ Mardi Gras; they’re also required by law. Everybody on a float has to either wear a mask or have their face painted.
This is said to have originally been a way to encourage people to interact with those outside their social circle, with their true identities hidden.
Gimme More
Krewes throw beads throughout the parade, but if you want them to throw something right to you, you’ve got to say the magic words: “Throw me something, mister!”
Happy Mermaid, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Members Only
Getting a spot on a Mardi Gras float isn’t easy—many krewes are selective about their members. Securing a position requires hefty membership fees and a significant investment in costumes, beads, and float decorations.
While it helps to know someone in a krewe, even then, you’d need to pay your way if you’re filling their spot. It’s all part of the dedication to keeping the tradition alive!
anoldent, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Mardi Gras Balls
After the Mardi Gras parade, krewes hosts elaborate balls.
Getting an invite to these exclusive parties is difficult, but New Orleans is full of great places for you to continue the celebration long into the night.
Final Thoughts
While the origins of Mardi Gras may lie in religious traditions, the celebration has evolved into one of the world’s wildest festivals. Mardi Gras is celebrated in many cool cities around the world, so there are lots of opportunities to experience the fun for yourself.
