Carnival and Mardi Gras

February 27, 2022

"Laissez les bon temps rouler"

(Lay-say le bon tom roo-lay)

Let the good times roll!

Today is the last day of Carnival which began on the feast of the Epiphany. Carnival comes from the phrase caro levare meaning “to put away the flesh." Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday because on this day people indulge before Lent. In Germany, women have their own special Carnival where they hold all the power and practice pranks. Today is Pancake day due to the need to use up pancake ingredients before Lent. Pancake racing is practiced today, pancakes are flipped and made while racing to the finish line. Some cultures like Poland observe Fat Thursday and eat special desserts like Paszki. It is also sometimes called Shrove Tuesday from the word shrive, relating to repentance as a means to prepare for Lent. On this day, remove any old palms from last Palm Sunday and set them aside to bring to church to be burned for ashes. The Catholic Church honors the Holy Face of Jesus on Shrove Tuesday.

Note: Although today is a day typical to indulge on animal products before Lent. Consider vegan alternatives to food cravings.

2025 Theme: "A Knight on the Runway"

Symbols of Mardi Gras

Krewes (crews): Name for those who form the parade.

Masks: To hide the identity of the members of different social classes to allow for free fun, and mischief without being seen.

Beads, Coins and Throws: Symbolizes the King of the Carnival throwing jewels to his loyal subjects.

King Cake: Because Carnival starts on Epiphany or 3 Kings Day the Cake gets its name from them. A figure of the Baby Jesus is hidden inside and whoever finds Jesus in their cake hosts the next party. Perhaps this is due to the Epiphany being the day the Wise men "found" Jesus. A traditional New Orleans/ Mardi Gras drink are Hurricanes, celebrate responsibly! The fastnacht treat eaten comes from German for fast-night. Due to their being eaten before the time of fasting.

Fleur De Lis: Based off the Lily which represents the Blessed Virgin, is a French Symbol and therefore is used in Mardi gras symbols because of "the French Quarter" and their grand Mardi Gras celebration.

Purple, Gold and Green: Purple symbolizes royalty and therefore the King of Carnival, Gold symbolizes wealth and power as well as indulgence, Green is the color of faith, growth and rebirth.

Mardi Gras Around the World

In Russia the last week before Lent is called butter week. This is due to the elimination of butter in the Lenten diet. This week was celebrated with snowball fights. The prince of carnival is paraded on a sled and this straw man is burned on his throne on the last day of Butter week. This last day is known as forgiveness day and give blini( similar to crepes) for the dead. Some believe they are eaten because legend stated the daughter of winter visited them and told them to eat these foods in honor of the sun and spring would arrive. People sometimes throw broken objects into a fire this day. This is similar to last years palms being burned to create ashes and preparing for a new start with Lent. In the Universal Studios theme parks they have a special parade with throws as well as festive costumes and concerts to celebrate the Mardi Gras season. Disney World's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort also has Mardi Gras festivities and also has vegan friendly beignets year round. Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom is perfect to ride for the holiday as it is Princess and the Frog themed as Tiana is looking for musicians for her Mardi Gras celebration.

Revelations from Christ to St. Gertrude on Devotions for Carnival: " You can do nothing more acceptable to Me than to say the [Our Father] three times, or the Psalm Laudate Dominum, omnes gentes ; and at the first repetition, offer to God all the wearinesses and labours of My Heart for the salvation of men ; and suffer or labour, praise or give thanks, in reparation for all the unlawful pleasures in which the human heart indulges at this time. At the second repetition, offer to God My Father all the abstinences and mortifications of My lips, whether in eating, speaking, preaching, or praying, in satisfaction for all the sins of the tongue now committed. At the third repetition, offer to God my Father all the actions and movements of My most holy Body, and of each member thereof, with all the bitterness of My Passion and Death, in satisfaction for all the sins which men commit now against their own salvation..." When you are praying, extend your arms to represent the manner in which I extended Mine to God My Father in My Passion ; and do this for the salvation of every member of the Church, in union with the love with which I stretched out My arms upon the cross."

Mardi Gras Resources

Vegan Mardi Gras Recipes

Vegan Pancakes

Mardi Gras TV Specials

(See also “Rio” which is set around Carnival and “The Princess and the Frog”. )