Posted by Leslie on January 30th, 2008 | 12 Comments

This weekend I’m going to New Orleans for the first time. It’s right at the time for Mardi Gras. Luckily, I’ll be with friends who are from the area and know just what to see and when to go. I was digging around for some facts about Mardi Gras and thought I’d share them on this week’s T13!

{Edition XIV}

Thirteen Trivia Facts about Mardi Gras

1. In 1857, members of a Mobilian mystic society brought Mardi Gras to New Orleans.

2. Mardi Gras day was the last day before Lent, when Catholics would give up a certain food until Easter. Therefore, they would feast the day before.

3. Mardi Gras literally translates to Fat Tuesday. It was called so because of the feasting that took place on this day.

4. Mardi Gras is known as in the Christian calendar as Shrove Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent starts. The following day, the first day of lent is known as Ash Wednesday.

5. The earliest and latest dates that Mardi Gras can occur are as early as Feb. 3 and as late as March 9, since it is backed up 47 days before Easter.

6. Historically the first recorded celebration of Mardi Gras in what is now the United States occurred in 1699, on a Mississippi River island just downstream from modern New Orleans.

7. The colors of Carnival were chosen in 1872 by that year’s Rex. By some accounts, the colors were chosen because Rex thought they looked good together. Twenty years later, for the 1892 parade, Rex declared that the colors had meaning: purple for justice, green for faith and gold for power.

8. Carnival (different than Mardi Gras) is a long season between Christmas and Lent.

9. Mardi Gras Indians: Its exact history is difficult to determine, but most agree the ritual song, dance and costuming began as way for African slaves brought to America to celebrate their heritage.

10. The king cake traditionally was served on “Little Christmas” or “Kings’ Day” other names for the Feast of the Epiphany, celebrated Jan. 6.

11. In New Orleans, the person who receives the piece of cake containing a “baby” must provide the king cake for the next gathering of the season.

12. Since 1837, only 13 Fat Tuesdays have been cancelled, mostly due to wars.

13. Mardi Gras generates more than one billion dollars in spending.

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