Mardi Gras: 6 Unique Facts to Blow Your Mind

I started my adult life at the University of Southern Mississippi. It didn’t take long before Brandon and I were taking weekend trips to Biloxi and New Orleans. I fell in love with the culture, and Madi Gras was no different.

If you don’t live in an area where Mardi Gras is a big deal, you might be a bit unaware of all the traditions it holds and just see it as “beads, booze, and boobs”; however, this could be further from the truth. Read on to find out more!

What Does Mardi Gras Mean?

The word Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday in French.

Other countries (such as the UK) also call it Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day.

Why Does My Family Celebrate Mardi Gras?

It’s all about perspective, in my opinion. So- here are my thoughts.

Mardi Gras begins on January 6, Epiphany or Dia De Reyes (Three Kings Day). This is also the 12th day of Christmas. As a child, I believed the twelve days of Christmas started before Christmas Day; however, the first day of Christmas is December 25th.

Mardi Gras ends on Fat Tuesday- the day before Lent starts. For those unfamiliar with Lent, this begins on Ash Wednesday and represents a forty-day somber remembrance of Jesus- how he lived a sinless life and died on the cross for our sins. Often, the pastor will place ashes on the believers’ foreheads in the shape of a cross, symbolizing repentance, humility, and a commitment to God. The ashes are usually made from burning the palms used in the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebration.

Mardi Gras falls between two Christian religious holidays. While I will make sure to point out that initially, this was a pagan holiday that Christians adapted to fit their beliefs, this was back when AD only had three letters instead of four.

Given all this, my family celebrates the life of Jesus Christ, being grateful for all the life he did live in the thirty-some-odd years before his death, resurrection, and ascension into Heaven. We do not “go wild” but eat good food and play New Orleans Jazz more than we do throughout the year.

I also want to note that this runs congruent with the Catholic faith. While I am not a Catholic (I consider myself non-denominational with ties to the Lutheran Church), I find a lot of this to be good practice for my faith. I don’t give up meat yearly for Lent, but I always give up something. This year- it’s speeding!

What Do the Colors Mean?

Purple- for justice

Green- for faith

Gold- for power.

You might notice that there are three colors. These represent the three wise men and the gifts the Magi brought to baby Jesus: purple for myrrh, green for frankincense, and gold for gold.

What is a King Cake, and Why is it Significant?

I’m going to do a general overview of the king cake. If you want a more in-depth conversation, head here.

The King Cake has strong ties to Christianity, particularly to the Epiphany, which commemorates the visit of the Magi (the Three Wise Men) to the baby Jesus. This event signifies the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles, marking an important aspect of the Christmas season in Christian tradition.

*Side note: I learned about this aspect of the three wise men for the first time this Christmas- absolutely amazing, if you ask me!

A little more detail

The Shape: The circular or oval shape of the cake represents unity and eternity, symbolizing God’s eternal nature.
The Colors: The colors are the same as all other Mardi Gras celebrations.
The Hidden Baby: This tiny figure symbolizes baby Jesus and reminds participants of the Magi’s search for Him. Finding the baby can signify the blessings and responsibility of hosting the next party or providing the next King Cake.

What are Krewes?

Krewes are the heart and soul of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, serving as the social organizations in charge of organizing the parades, balls, and festivities.

Dating back to 1857 with the formation of the Krewe of Comus, these groups introduced structured parades featuring elaborate floats, costumes, and themes, setting the foundation for modern Mardi Gras. “Krewe” is a whimsical spelling of “crew,” emphasizing camaraderie and tradition. Today, hundreds of krewes exist, each contributing their own unique flair and traditions to the festival.

Each krewe operates independently and produces a themed parade during the Mardi Gras season, complete with floats, marching bands, and costumed riders who toss beads, doubloons, and other “throws” to the crowds.

In addition to parades, many krewes host grand balls, often by invitation only, where members and guests enjoy formal festivities, including live music, dancing, and the presentation of a royal court featuring kings, queens, and other symbolic roles.

Krewes come in many forms, from traditional groups like the Krewe of Rex to alternative and inclusive krewes like the Krewe of Chewbacchus, a sci-fi and fantasy-themed group, or the Krewe of Muses, a women-led organization. Some krewes also focus on philanthropy, using their platform to give back to the community through charitable efforts.

Together, these organizations embody the spirit of Mardi Gras, blending reverence for historical traditions with modern creativity and inclusivity. For locals, joining a krewe is not just about participating in Mardi Gras but also about connecting deeply with the culture and community of New Orleans.

Why are There Parades?

These lively events showcase elaborate floats, marching bands, dance troupes, and colorful costumes, all centered around themes that vary by krewe. Each parade is unique, reflecting the krewe that organizes it, with some offering extravagant spectacles and others focusing on humor, satire, or creativity. Parades occur throughout the Carnival season.

Despite some misconceptions, most Mardi Gras parades are family-friendly events designed to entertain people of all ages. New Orleans has strict regulations ensuring that public indecency, such as flashing for beads, is not allowed at parades. That is reserved for Bourbon Street.

Families line the streets with ladders and chairs to catch beads, doubloons, and other throws from the floats, creating a safe and welcoming environment for children. Certain krewes, like the Krewe of Little Rascals, cater specifically to younger audiences, with floats, themes, and performances designed to delight kids and families.

The parades also highlight the deep cultural traditions of New Orleans, featuring a mix of music, art, and pageantry that reflects the city’s rich heritage. From the grandeur of super krewes like Bacchus and Endymion, which feature massive floats and celebrity appearances, to smaller parades with quirky and creative themes, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Parades are carefully planned and timed, with routes published in advance so attendees can stake out their favorite spots.

Mardi Gras is What You Make It

The day will come when I attend a Mardi Gras festival in New Orleans. But for now, I will continue this tradition of celebrating Jesus- one I started at 18 years old (two years after I chose to celebrate Lent).

Mardi Gras, like life, is what you make it. Laissez les bons temps rouler.