Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras season begins on the 12th day of Christmas - January 6, but the
final day of partying is always 47 days before Easter, on the day before the
start of Lent, or Ash Wednesday. This famous and ancient holiday is also known
as "Fat Tuesday." On Fat Tuesday, Christians end their partying; the
next day is Ash Wednesday, the first day of a 46 day fast that lasts until Easter.
In Europe and other nations around the world, the season is also known as Carnival
(Carnivale, Karneval). Click
here to read more about the Catholic origins of this holiday.
In
New Orleans, Lousiana (USA) the most famous of Mardi Gras (literally "Fat
Tuesday) celebrations takes place every year - with parties, festivities, merriment
and parades that push the limits of propriety on everything from food and drink
to attire and frivolity. For 2007,
the official Mardi Gras celebration date is February 20. Many people plan
their own Mardi Gras parties during the month of February. Mardi Gras Party Shop
- Funky Costumes, Decorations, Beads, Masks! Mardi Gras Costumes, Masks, Murals,
Banners
Fastnacht
In Pennsylvania-German culture, Fastnacht Day is a day to feast on doughnuts.
Fat Tuesday is the day when people eat many many "FastNachts"
- special Fast Night potato doughnuts without holes - in preparation for Lent
when foods are typically given up until Easter. Historically, Pennsylvania Germans
used up all the fat and sugar they had on hand before the Lenten fast by making
these yeast-raised potato doughnuts and eating them with syrup. YUM!
Read
more about the history of Fastnacht/Karneval.
Masquerade
Mardi
Gras celebrants party in costume - masquerade balls and parades are a major
part of the holiday - wearing traditional/official Mardi Gras colors of
purple, green, and gold, to represent justice, faith, and power respectively.
Bead necklaces, feathers, and shiny fabrics are hallmarks of Mardi Gras holiday
costumes.