Mardi Gras is a historical event that goes back many years.

 Mardi Gras is a historical event that goes back many years.

 Mardi Gras is also known as Fat Tuesday, a celebration of dazzling carnival costumes, glittering beads, and jazz music that fills the air with something unforgettable. Mardi Gras is not just about glittering beads and costumes, it’s also about amazing foods like crawfish boils, shrimp etouffee, beignets and po’boy sandwiches, and king cakes. Then we have the religious aspect of Mardi Gras which is taken from the Roman Festivals of ancient times.

Mardi Gras is a pagan celebration that involves several days of feasting, dancing, drinking, and masquerading. When we look at the history of Mardi Gras, we find that back in the day in Rome when Christianity came to Rome, the leaders decided to blend it into the traditions known already to the town instead of abolishing it over time. Mardi Gras lasts around six weeks and it’s filled with debauchery and excess before Lent begins and every Catholic must decide what to give up for Lent. While everyone sees Mardi Gras as the beginning of the carnival season, it starts on January 6^th which is the Three Kings Day (the official end of the Christmas season) and is the start of the carnival season where Mardi Gras is the pinnacle day before Lent.

It’s interesting to look at the history of the Kings Cake tradition too. The Kings Cake concept today is that there Is a miniature baby backed into the cake for good luck, but back in the day they would put a bean or two in the cake and if you found that bean, you were crowned King for the day. Great way to celebrate the carnival season instead of baking a baby into a cake.

The Origins of Mardi Gras is interesting as it originated in Rome, the during the Medieval times it entered France. The French renamed it to the Mardi Gras name we know now. It is not only celebrated in New Orleans, the French quarter of America, but also throughout European countries due to its colorful festivities and feasting, elaborate costumes, and revelries. Brazil, Caribbean Nations, and the United States share in these festivities.

If you’ve never been to New Orleans and enjoyed the Mardi Gras Festival, I encourage you to journey to New Orleans once in your life during Mardi Gras but beware of the safety precautions you must take before going to New Orleans.

Artist and Author Elizabeth Kilbride is a former political operative, author, scriptwriter, historian, and journalist. business professional, creative artist, and life coach consultant. Ms. Kilbride holds a master’s in criminology and a BS in Business Management she stepped out of the loop for a while but is now back with a powerful opinion and voice in the direction of this country and our economy. As a life coach, she is available to counsel individuals to enjoy their dreams and a better life. Ms. Kilbride loves to travel and photograph her surroundings and is also a gourmet cook who loves to garden and preserve food for the winter months.