Mardi Gras French
Mardi Gras season begins on January 6 (also known as Epiphany) and ends on Fat Tuesday, which is the day before Ash Wednesday.
Mardi Gras = Fat Tuesday
Mardi Gras is called Fat Tuesday because it refers to the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday
Traditionally, this day involves indulgent feasting, wearing masks and costumes, parades, dancing.
Mardi Gras receives its origins from Carnival Season , which is celebrated in various cultures worldwide as a time of festivities before Lent.
Lent is a period of 40 days of reflection, prayer, and fasting that begins on Ash Wednesday, leading up to Easter.
The people group that first observed the historical predecessor to Mardi Gras were the Ancient Romans, who celebrated the Lupercalia festival in the second century.
Mardi Gras stems from its origins as a pagan, "circus-type" festival based on pleasure seeking
During medieval times, Mardi Gras was used to conscript new knights into service and hold feasts in their honor.
In medieval time during Mardi Gras, peasants would be given cakes, coins, and other trinkets.
Epiphany is - the 12th day after christmas that marks the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of Carnival celebrations, leading up to Mardi Gras.
The "King Cake" is called so because it honors the visit of the Magi (Kings) to the baby Jesus. This cake typically starts the Mardi Gras season and is named in recognition of these Kings.
The colors of Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold. Purple represents justice, green signifies faith, and gold symbolizes power.
Each King Cake traditionally contains a small plastic baby trinket baked inside of it.
According to tradition, the person who finds the plastic baby in their slice of cake is crowned the "Queen" or "King" of the celebration and is expected to host the next King Cake party or provide the next King Cake!
A traditional King Cake is made from twisted strands of cinnamon dough and topped with icing
le gateau des rois= King Cake
jaune= yellow
vert= green
violet= purple
la fête= party
la Pâques= Easter
la fève= the bean (or plastic baby used in the traditional king cake)
Nouvelles Orléans= new orleans
mardi= Tuesday