Mardi Gras ended this week on Fat Tuesday, the day before Lent begins: Ash Wednesday. This fun filled holiday's origins are not completely known. It can be traced as far back as medieval Europe. One theory is that it was celebrated as a series of carnival days held in Roman Catholic countries between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday.
New Orleans is the Mardi Gras capitol in the United States. Its traditions were brought there by the French in March 1699 when French explorers celebrated the holiday along the banks of the Mississippi River. New Orleans introduced the holiday to the rest of America.
The Mardi Gras festivities last for the full week before Lent begins. The celebration is the last big hoorah of food and drink before the restrictions of Lent. The people fill the streets with parades, floats, dancing, masks (such as the ones in the above picture), and colorful beaded necklaces. The official colors of Mardi Gras are purple, green and gold, representing justice, faith and power.
Next year, Mardi Gras will begin on February 10th.
Picture Source: http://www.graffixgirlz.com/mardigras/MARDI-GRAS-MASKS.jpg
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