Mardi Gras

During the liturgical season of Lent, some Christians abstain from the consumption of certain foods such as meat, eggs, dairy products, and alcoholic beverages. Most Christian denominations observe the tradition of Lent; exceptions include many churches within the Anabaptist, Baptist, Methodist, and Reformed traditions.{{cite web|author=|title=Question & Answer: Should we Observe Lent?|publisher=The Orthodox Presbyterian Church|location=Willow Grove, Pennsylvania|year=2024|url=https://www.opc.org/qa.html?question_id=365|quote=Those inheriting a Reformed theology (which would include the OPC) have adopted the stance that the church is only to practice in worship what the Bible actually establishes, often called the 'regulative principle of worship.' Many in the Reformed tradition would exclude the practice of Lent on this basis—it lacks scriptural warrant.|access-date=3 November 2024}}{{cite book|last=Benedict|first=Philip|title=Christ's Churches Purely Reformed: A Social History of Calvinism|pages=118, 496|publisher=Yale University Press|location=New Haven|year=2002|isbn=0-300-08812-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JKj_x3W01hoC&q=lent}}{{Cite book|author=|title=Mennonite Stew – A Glossary: Lent|publisher=Third Way Media|url=https://thirdwaycafe.com/glossary/lent/#:~:text=The%20choice%20to%20fast%20or,await%20the%20promise%20of%20Easter.|quote=Traditionally, Mennonites did not observe Lent, and only recently have more modern Mennonite churches started to focus on the six week season preceding Easter.|access-date=3 November 2024}}{{cite news|last=Brumley|first=Jeff|title=Lent not just for Catholics, but also for many denominations, Baptists and other evangelicals|newspaper=The Florida Times-Union|location=Jacksonville, Florida|date=12 March 2012|url=http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2012-03-12/story/lent-not-just-catholics-also-some-baptists-and-other-evangelicals|access-date=3 November 2024}}{{cite book|last=Moore|first=Scott|editor-last1=Ward|editor-first1=Roger|editor-last2=Gushee|editor-first2=David|title=The Scholarly Vocation and the Baptist Academy: Essays on the Future of Baptist Higher Education|chapter=The Predicament and the Promise for Young Baptist Scholars|page=143|publisher=Mercer University Press|location=Macon, Georgia|year=2008|url=978-0881461046|quote=In most Baptist churches, Lent is non-existent, and Advent is merely the 'pre-Christmas' wind-up.}} Shrovetide provided Christians with the opportunity to use up these foods prior to the start of the 40-day fasting season of Lent.{{cite book |last1=Campbell |first1=Georgina |title=The Best of Irish Breads and Baking: Traditional, Contemporary and Festive |date=May 2005 |publisher=Georgina Campbell Guides |isbn=978-1-903164-15-0 |page=106|quote=Until relatively recently, the Lenten fast was taken so seriously in Ireland that it meant abstaining not only from meat but also eggs and all milk products. The tradition of making pancakes on Shrove Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday) came about as a practical way of using up the surplus eggs, milk and butter which would otherwise go to waste. Most Irish families still make pancakes on Shrove Tuesday and the tradition of tossing pancakes not only survives but actually thrives, providing voter-friendly photo opportunities for politicians and commercial opportunities for the catering trade. }}{{cite book |last1=Butler |first1=Alban |title=The Moveable Feasts, Fasts, and Other Annual Observances of the Catholic Church |date=1839 |publisher=James Duffy|location=Dublin|pages=144–146|quote=The primitive Christians in Lent broke their fast only after sunset, and then usually only with herbs, roots, and bread. At least all were obliged to abstain not only from flesh meat, but also from fish, and whatever had life; also whatever is derived from flesh, as eggs, milk, cheese, butter, according to the ancient canon. Likewise from wine, which in the primitive ages was no less forbidden on all fasting days than the use of flesh meat itself ... Some mitigations were introduced in part of abstinence in the sixth century ... Fish was in the same age allowed, but not of the dearer and more dainty kinds.}}{{cite book |last1=Butler |first1=Alban |title=The Moveable Feasts, Fasts, and Other Annual Observances of the Catholic Church |date=1774 |publisher=C. Kiernan |page=257|quote=It is undoubted, that anciently to drink on fasting days was no less forbid than to eat, only in the refection after sunset.}}

Prior to the 6th century, Lent was normatively observed through the practice of the Black Fast, which enjoins fasting from food and liquids, with the allowance of one vegetarian meal and water after sunset. The tradition of pancake breakfasts during Shrovetide, as well as that of pancake races, owes itself to this practice of "using up the surplus eggs, milk and butter" prior to Lent.{{cite book|last1=Collins|first1=Tony|last2=Martin|first2=John|last3=Vamplew|first3=Wray|title=Encyclopedia of Traditional British Rural Sports|year=2005|publisher=Psychology Press|isbn=978-0415352246|page=202|quote=The association between pancakes and Shrove Tuesday appears to have its origins in the fact that the pancakes used up food such as butter, eggs and fat that were prohibited during Lent, which begins the following day on Ash Wednesday. ... Pancakes have been eaten on Shrove Tuesday since at least the sixteenth century. In some parishes, it was the custom for the church bell to ring at noon as the signal for people to begin frying their pancakes. }}

The specific tradition of eating pancakes is said to have roots in Slavic paganism, with this practice being co-opted into Christian ritual.{{ cite web | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/amazing-history-of-pancake-celebrations/7/ | title=The strange and amazing history of pancake celebrations | publisher=CBS News | last=Gornstein |first=Leslie |date=March 3, 2025 }}{{ cite web | url=https://www.visitheritage.co.uk/inspiration/visit-heritage-blog/read/2023/02/why-do-we-eat-pancakes-on-shrove-tuesday-b302 | title=Why do we eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday? | website=visitheritage.co.uk | date=February 20, 2023 | author= }} Specifically the pancake was said to symbolise the returning of the sun as spring approached.{{ cite web | url=https://www.history.co.uk/articles/the-pagan-roots-of-pancake-day | title=The pagan roots of Pancake Day and Shrove Tuesday | website=History.co.uk | author= | date= }}{{ cite web | url=https://www.discoverbritain.com/history/traditions/shrove-tuesday-all-you-need-to-know/ | title=Shrove Tuesday: A traditional pancake recipe | date=February 21, 2023 | first=Flora | last=Hughes-Onslow | website=discoverbritain.com }}

In many Christian parish churches, both Protestant and Roman Catholic, a popular Shrove Tuesday tradition is the ringing of the church bells (on this day, the toll is known as the Shriving Bell) "to call the faithful to confession before the solemn season of Lent" and for people to "begin frying their pancakes".{{cite web |title=What Is the Meaning and History of Shrove Tuesday? |url=https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/what-is-shrove-tuesday-meaning-and-holiday-date.html |publisher=Christianity.com |access-date=7 April 2024|date=13 February 2024 |quote=In many Protestant and Roman Catholic Christian churches, a popular Shrove Tuesday ritual is the ringing of the church bells (on this day, known as the Shriving Bell) "to call the faithful to confession before the solemn season of Lent" and for people to "begin frying their pancakes."}}{{cite book|last=Cocks|first=Alfred Heneage|title=The church bells of Buckinghamshire: their inscriptions, founders, and uses, and traditions; &c|year=1897|publisher=Jarrold & sons|page=276}}{{cite book|last=Pulleyn |first=William |title=The Etymological Compendium, Or Portfolio of Origins and Inventions |year=1828|publisher=Richard Griffin and Company|page=192}} As such, a hallmark of Shrovetide is the opportunity for a last round of merrymaking associated with Mardis Gras before the start of the somber Lenten season.{{cite web |title=Shrovetide|url=https://www.lutheranchurch.dk/liturgy-and-worship/festivals-and-traditions/shrovetide|publisher=Church of Denmark|access-date=8 February 2021}}{{cite book|last=Beadle|first=Richard|title=The Cambridge Companion to Medieval English Theatre|date=17 March 1994|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9780521459167|page=[https://archive.org/details/cambridgecompani00rich_1/page/69 69]|quote=One of these was the pre-Lent Carnival extravaganza of Shrovetide, though this seems to have been celebrated to a much lesser extent in Britain than it was (and still is) on the continent: however, we know of English Shrovetide plays, and Mankind bears signs of being one of them (335).|url=https://archive.org/details/cambridgecompani00rich_1/page/69}}{{cite book |last1=Rose |first1=David |title=Christianity |date=1995 |publisher=Folens Limited |isbn=978-1-85276-765-5 |page=9|quote=Shrove Tuesday was the day when all the luxury foods were eaten up. These included meat, eggs, milk and fine flour. People also went to church and confessed their sins. Today, many Christians give up 'something' for Lent, while others occupy their time with charitable works. In other parts of the world the day is called Fat Tuesday (or 'Mardi Gras') because people felt bloated having eaten up all the rich foods before Lent. Mardi Gras celebrations are often very elaborate, involving costumes and parties.}} The last day of Shrovetide, Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday), is named as such "because people felt bloated having eaten up all the rich foods before Lent" in order to prepare for the coming season of repentance.

The festival season varies from city to city; Mardis Gras often refers to the last day of Shrovetide (or Fastelavn or Carnival), thus being synonymous with Shrove Tuesday. Some traditions, such as the one in New Orleans, Louisiana, consider Mardi Gras to stretch the entire period from Twelfth Night (the last night of Christmas which begins Epiphany) to Ash Wednesday.{{cite web|title=Mardi Gras Terminology |work=Mobile Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau |url=http://www.mobile.org/vis_mardigras_terms.php |access-date=18 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071209165238/http://www.mobile.org/vis_mardigras_terms.php |archive-date=9 December 2007 }}{{cite book|last1=Wilds|first1=John|author2=Charles L. Dufour|author3=Walter G. Cowan|title=Louisiana, Yesterday and Today: A Historical Guide to the State|date=1996|publisher=LSU Press|location=Baton Rouge|isbn=978-0807118931|page=157|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CyI14B5pua8C&q=mardi+gras+season+from+twelfth+night+to+ash+wednesday+new+orleans&pg=PA157|access-date=11 December 2015}} Others treat the final three-day period before Ash Wednesday as the Mardi Gras.{{cite web|url=http://www.crivoice.org/cylent.html |last=Bratcher |first=Dennis |title=The Season of Lent |date=7 January 2010 |publisher= Christian Resource Institute |access-date=25 June 2016}}

In Mobile, Alabama, Mardi Gras–associated social events begin in November, followed by mystic society balls"Mobile Carnival Association, 1927",

MardiGrasDigest.com, 2006, webpage:

{{usurped|1=[http://www.mardigrasdigest.com/Bureau/Mobile/mobile_carnival_association.htm mardigrasdigest-Mobile]}} {{Cite web |url=http://www.mardigrasdigest.com/Bureau/Mobile/mobile_carnival_association.htm |title=Mobile Carnival Association |access-date=12 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060307233517/http://www.mardigrasdigest.com/Bureau/Mobile/mobile_carnival_association.htm |archive-date=7 March 2006 |url-status=usurped }} New Year's Eve, followed by parades and balls in January and February, celebrating up to midnight before Ash Wednesday. In earlier times, parades were held on New Year's Day. Carnival (or Fastelavn or Shrovetide) is an important celebration in Lutheran, Anglican and Catholic European nations.

File:MardiGrasDakar.JPG, Senegal]]

File:Marseille-carnival-sun-and-moon.jpg, France]]

File:Binche - Les Gilles.jpg, Belgium]]

The three-day Carnival of Binche, near Mons, is one of the best known in Belgium. It takes place around Shrove Tuesday (or Mardi Gras) just before Lent. Performers known as Gilles wear elaborate costumes in the national colours of red, black and yellow. During the parade, they throw oranges at the crowd.{{cite web|title=The best Belgian folklore festivals|url=http://www.expatica.com/nl/leisure/travel_tourism/The-best-Belgian-folklore-festivals_16212.html|publisher=expatica.com|accessdate=25 November 2012}} In 2003, it was recognized by UNESCO as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.{{cite book|last=Cole|first=Leanne Logan & Geert|title=Lonely Planet Belgium & Luxembourg.|year=2007|publisher=Lonely Planet|location=Footscray (Victoria)|isbn=978-1-74104-237-5|pages=223|edition=3.}}

In the Czech Republic, it is a folk tradition to celebrate Mardi Gras, which is called Masopust (meat-fast, i.e. beginning of the fast there). There are celebrations in many places including Prague,{{cite web |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3IqY-QsJgc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/p3IqY-QsJgc| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title= Mardi Gras in Bohemia-Prague |via= YouTube |access-date= 18 January 2016}}{{cbignore}} but the tradition also prevails in villages such as Staré Hamry, whose door-to-door processions made it to the UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage List.{{cite web| title= Staročeský masopust Hamry | url=http://www.masopusthamry.cz/ | access-date= 16 December 2017 }}

{{main|Carnival in Germany, Switzerland and Austria|l1=Karneval, Fasching|Swabian–Alemannic Fastnacht|l2=Fastnacht}}

The celebration on the same day in Germany knows many different terms, depending on the region, such as Fastnacht, meaning the eve of the fast that takes place during Lent, or Veilchensdienstag (Violet Tuesday), as it is called in the Lower Rhine region. The celebrations often stretch from Epiphany, known in sections of Germany as Heilige Drei Könige, through the night before Ash Wednesday, and is variously known by different names, such as Karneval or Fasching in Germany, Austria and German-speaking areas of Switzerland. It is also often referred to as the "fifth season", which traditionally begins with Hoppeditz Erwachen (the waking of Hoppeditz, the Fool who embodies the Karneval season) on 11 November at 11:11 AM (11/11 11:11).{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} and ends with his comic funeral mass on Fastnacht.

Karneval is filled with large banquets held by the various organizing societies and generally comes to a climax beginning on what is variously known as Schmutziger Donnerstag or Fetter Donnerstag (Fat Thursday), Unsinniger Donnerstag (Nonsense Thursday), Altweiberfastnacht, Greesentag and others. In standard German, schmutzig means "dirty", but in the Alemannic dialects schmotzig means "lard" (Schmalz), or "fat";{{cite news |url=http://www.rontaler.ch/20330/woher-hat-der-schmutzige-donnerstag-seinen-namen |title=Woher hat der Schmutzige Donnerstag seinen Namen? |newspaper=Regionalzeitung Rontaler AG |date=17 February 2013 |language=de |access-date=7 February 2015}} thus "Greasy Thursday", as remaining winter stores of lard and butter used to be consumed at that time, before the fasting began. Altweiberfastnacht often featured women wearing men's clothing and assuming their roles. In many towns across the state of North Rhine Westphalia, a ritual "takeover" of the town halls by local women has become tradition.

In Italy Mardi Gras is called Martedì Grasso (Fat Tuesday). It is the main day of Carnival along with the Thursday before, called Giovedí Grasso (Fat Thursday), which ratifies the start of the celebrations. The most famous Carnivals in northern Italy are in Venice, Viareggio and Ivrea, while in the southern part of Italy the Sardinian Sartiglia and the intriguing apotropaic masks, especially the mamuthones, issohadores, s'urtzu (and so on), are more popular, belonging to a very ancient tradition. Ivrea has the characteristic "Battle of Oranges" that finds its roots in medieval times. The Italian version of the festival is spelled Carnevale.{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/culturecustomsof00char|url-access=registration|page=[https://archive.org/details/culturecustomsof00char/page/94 94]|quote=mardi gras in italy.|title=Culture and Customs of Italy|last=Killinger|first=Charles L.|year=2005|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0313324895}}

In Sweden the celebration is called Fettisdagen, when fastlagsbulle is eaten, more commonly called Semla. The name comes from the words "fett" (fat) and "tisdag" (Tuesday). Originally, this was the only day one should eat fastlagsbullar.{{cite web|title=Swedish semla: more than just a bun|work=Sweden.se|url=http://www.sweden.se/eng/Home/Lifestyle/Traditions/Reading/Swedish-semla-more-than-just-a-bun/|access-date=22 February 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606090150/http://www.sweden.se/eng/Home/Lifestyle/Traditions/Reading/Swedish-semla-more-than-just-a-bun/|archive-date=6 June 2011|df=mdy-all}}

See Shrove Tuesday.

{{see also|Mardi Gras in the United States|Mardi Gras in Mobile|Mardi Gras in New Orleans}}

While not observed nationally throughout the United States, a number of historically ethnically French cities and regions in the country have notable celebrations. Mardi Gras arrived in North America as a French Catholic tradition with the Le Moyne brothers,

"New Orleans & Mardi Gras History Timeline

" (event list),

Mardi Gras Digest, 2005, webpage:

{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20101124195528/http://www.mardigrasdigest.com/html/mardi_gras_history__timeline.htm MG-time]}}

Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville and Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, in the late 17th century, when King Louis XIV sent the pair to defend France's claim on the territory of Louisiane, which included what are now the U.S. states of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and part of eastern Texas.

The expedition, led by Iberville, entered the mouth of the Mississippi River on the evening of 2 March 1699 (new style), Lundi Gras. They did not yet know it was the river explored and claimed for France by René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle in 1683. The party proceeded upstream to a place on the east bank about {{convert|60|mi|km|sigfig=1}} downriver from where New Orleans is today, and made camp. This was on 3 March 1699, Mardi Gras, so in honour of this holiday, Iberville named the spot Point du Mardi Gras (French: "Mardi Gras Point") and called the nearby tributary Bayou Mardi Gras.{{Cite news|url=http://www.history.com/news/9-things-you-may-not-know-about-mardi-gras|title=9 Things You May Not Know About Mardi Gras|work=History.com|access-date=17 August 2017}}

Bienville went on to found the settlement of Mobile (now in Alabama) in 1702 as the first capital of French Louisiana.

"Timeline 18th Century:" (events),

Timelines of History, 2007, webpage:

[http://timelines.ws/1700_1724.HTML TLine-1700-1724]:

on "1702–1711" of Mobile.

In 1703 French settlers in Mobile established the first organised Mardi Gras celebration tradition in what was to become the United States.{{cite web |url=http://www.museumofmobile.com/timeline.php |title=Carnival/Mobile Mardi Gras Timeline |work=Museum of Mobile |access-date=18 July 2012}}

"Mardi Gras in Mobile" (history),

Jeff Sessions, Senator, Library of Congress, 2006, webpage:

[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cocoon/legacies/AL/200002665.html LibCongress-2665].

"Mardi Gras" (history),

Mobile Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau, 2007, webpage:

[http://www.mobile.org/ab_mardigras.php/ab_mardigras_history.php MGmobile].

The first informal mystic society, or krewe, was formed in Mobile in 1711, the Boeuf Gras Society. Then came the Striker's Independent Society in 1842, followed by the oldest parading mystic society the Order of Myths or "OOMs" in 1867.

In 1720, Biloxi had been made capital of Louisiana. The French Mardi Gras customs had accompanied the colonists who settled there.

File:Mobile Mardi Gras 2010 48.jpg

In 1723, the capital of Louisiana was moved to New Orleans, founded in 1718. The first Mardi Gras parade held in New Orleans is recorded to have taken place in 1833 with Bernard de Marigny funding the first organized parade, tableau, and ball. The tradition in New Orleans expanded to the point that it became synonymous with the city in popular perception, and embraced by residents of New Orleans beyond those of French or Catholic heritage. Mardi Gras celebrations are part of the basis of the slogan Laissez les bons temps rouler ("Let the good times roll"), as floats "roll".{{failed verification|date=February 2014}}

Festivities formally began in 1853 when a group of Protestant Anglo-Americans, some members of Mobile Mystic Societies, formed the first "old-line" krewe, The Mistick Krewe of Comus, based on Bernard de Marigny's 1833 parade of paper-mached wagons, a formal tableau vivant and presentation of debutants, followed by a formal ball. The Twelfth Night Revelers were formed in 1870, again with ties to Mobile, but no longer stage a parade, just tableau and ball. The Knights of Momus and Rex came about in 1872, with the last of the old-line krewes the Krewe of Proteus being formed 10 years later. Of these 5 groups only Rex and Proteus still formally parade, with the Knights of Chaos replacing Momus.

The parades of the largest krewes (colloquially known as "super krewes") came later, during the 1960s/70's, and traditionally occur immediately prior to and on Shrove Tuesday, including those of Endymion (Saturday, which also culminates with a concert event at Caesars Superdome), Bacchus (Sunday), and Zulu and Rex (Tuesday).

Other cities along the Gulf Coast with early French colonial heritage, from Pensacola, Florida, and Galveston, Texas, to Lake Charles and Lafayette, Louisiana, and north to Natchez, Mississippi, and Alexandria, Louisiana, have active Mardi Gras celebrations.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Galveston's first recorded Mardi Gras celebration, in 1867, included a masked ball at Turner Hall (Sealy at 21st St.) and a theatrical performance from Shakespeare's "King Henry IV" featuring Alvan Reed (a justice of the peace weighing in at 350 pounds) as Falstaff. The first year that Mardi Gras was celebrated on a grand scale in Galveston was 1871 with the emergence of two rival Mardi Gras societies, or "Krewes" called the Knights of Momus (known only by the initials "K.O.M.") and the Knights of Myth, both of which devised night parades, masked balls, exquisite costumes and elaborate invitations. The Knights of Momus, led by some prominent Galvestonians, decorated horse-drawn wagons for a torch lit night parade. Boasting such themes as "The Crusades", "Peter the Great", and "Ancient France", the procession through downtown Galveston culminated at Turner Hall with a presentation of tableaux and a grand gala.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

In the rural Acadiana area, many Cajuns celebrate with the Courir de Mardi Gras, a tradition that dates to medieval celebrations in France.{{cite book| title= Capitaine, voyage ton flag : The Traditional Cajun Country Mardi Gras| author= Barry Jean Ancelet| author-link= Barry Jean Ancelet| publisher= Center for Louisiana Studies, University of Southwestern Louisiana| date= 1989| isbn= 0-940984-46-6| url= https://archive.org/details/capitainevoyaget00ance}}

St. Louis, Missouri, founded in 1764 by French fur traders, claims to host the second largest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States.{{Cite news|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/best-places-celebrate-mardi-gras-outside-new-orleans-180954286/|title=Best Places to Celebrate Mardi Gras Outside of New Orleans|last=Geiling|first=Natasha|work=Smithsonian|access-date=11 February 2018}} The celebration is held in the historic French neighborhood, Soulard, and attracts hundreds of thousands of people from around the country.{{Cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/travel/ct-mardi-gras-celebrations-not-in-new-orleans-20170131-story.html|title=7 big Mardi Gras celebrations (not in New Orleans)|last=Houser|first=Dave G.|work=chicagotribune.com|access-date=11 February 2018}} Although founded in the 1760s, the St. Louis Mardi Gras festivities only date to the 1980s.{{cite web| title= Mardi Gras in St. Louis' Soulard Neighborhood | url= http://www.allaboutmardigras.com/Features/soulardhistory.html |website= allaboutmardigras.com | access-date=12 February 2018}} The city's celebration begins with "12th night", held on Epiphany, and ends on Fat Tuesday. The season is peppered with various parades celebrating the city's rich French Catholic heritage.{{cite web|url=http://stlmardigras.org/events/12th-night|title=12th Night {{!}} Soulard Mardi Gras 2018 |place= St. Louis, MO|website=stlmardigras.org|access-date=11 February 2018}}

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File:Mardi Gras Pirates New Orleans Louisiana WPA.jpg

Mardi Gras, as a celebration of life before the more-somber occasion of Ash Wednesday, nearly always involves the use of masks and costumes by its participants, and the most popular celebratory colors are purple, green, and gold. In New Orleans, for example, these often take the shape of fairies, animals, people from myths, or various Medieval costumes{{cite book|author=Lisa Gabbert|title=Mardi Gras: A City's Masked Parade|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4T2D0H8KJDAC&pg=PA4|year=1999|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-8239-5337-0|page=4}} as well as clowns and Indians (Native Americans).{{cite book|title=A Mardi Gras Dictionary|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QJzd111SBGwC&pg=PT6|publisher=Pelican Publishing|isbn=978-1-4556-0836-2|page=6}}

Many costumes today are simply elaborate creations of colored feathers and capes. Unlike Halloween costumery, Mardi Gras costumes are not usually associated with such things as zombies, mummies, bats, blood, and the like, though death may be a theme in some. The Venice tradition has brought golden masks into the usual round of costumes.{{cite book|author=J.C. Brown|title=Carnival Masks of Venice: A Photographic Essay|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lWfQPQAACAAJ|year=2008|publisher=AAPPL Artists & Photographers Press, Limited|isbn=978-1-904332-83-1}}

File:MardiGras2009CoffeeCustomers.JPG

Although the Church teaches that it is sinful and that it contravenes the Christian standards of modesty,{{cite book |last1=O'Malley |first1=Timothy P. |title=Becoming Eucharistic People: The Hope and Promise of Parish Life |date=20 May 2022 |publisher=Ave Maria Press |isbn=978-1-64680-157-2 |page=13}}{{cite web |last1=Cuthbert |first1=Chloe |title=Why We Celebrate Mardi Gras |url=https://medium.com/iron-ladies/why-we-celebrate-mardi-gras-a185f0eee70a |publisher=Iron Ladies |access-date=17 April 2024|date=19 February 2018|quote=And by the way, flashing is not only not required, it's discouraged.}} the practice of some women exposing their breasts during Mardi Gras in New Orleans, US, has been documented since 1889, when the Times-Democrat decried the "degree of immodesty exhibited by nearly all female masqueraders seen on the streets." The practice was mostly limited to tourists in the upper Bourbon Street area.Sparks, R. [http://nuevomundo.revues.org/document3941.html "American Sodom: New Orleans Faces Its Critics and an Uncertain Future"]. La Louisiane à la dérive. [http://nuevomundo.revues.org/sommaire2899.html#rub3927 The École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales Coloquio]. 16 December 2005. In the crowded streets of the French Quarter, generally avoided by locals on Mardi Gras Day, flashers on balconies cause crowds to form on the streets.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

In the last decades of the 20th century, the rise in producing commercial videotapes catering to voyeurs helped encourage a tradition of women baring their breasts in exchange for beads and trinkets. Social scientists studying "ritual disrobement" found, at Mardi Gras 1991, 1,200 instances of body-baring in exchange for beads or other favors.Shrum, W. and J. Kilburn. [https://www.jstor.org/stable/2580408 "Ritual Disrobement at Mardi Gras: Ceremonial Exchange and Moral Order"]. Social Forces, Vol. 75, No. 2. (Dec. 1996), pp. 423–458.

{{Further|topic=the traveling bead art exhibition|Bead Town}}

• Carnaval de Ponce
• Boeuf gras
• Fantasy Fest
• Fat Thursday, a similar traditional Christian feast associated with the celebration of Carnival
• Maslenitsa
• Shrove Tuesday
• Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
• Tsiknopempti
• Užgavėnės

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{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://worldmusic.about.com/od/northamerican/p/CajunMardiGras.htm Traditional Cajun Mardi Gras Celebrations]
• [http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/face/Article.jsp?id=h-1437 Mardi Gras in Mobile, Encyclopedia of Alabama]
• [https://www.theguardian.com/travel/gallery/2009/jan/21/mardi-gras-carnival-festivals-guide Where to Celebrate Mardi Gras Around the World] – slideshow by The Guardian
• [http://libmma.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/search/collection/p15324coll12/searchterm/mardi%20gras/order/nosort Fashion plates featuring historic Mardi Gras costumes] from the Metropolitan Museum of Art Libraries

{{Carnival around the world}}

{{US Observances}}

Category:Tuesday observances

Category:February observances

Category:March observances

Category:Holidays based on the date of Easter

Category:Catholic Church in the United States

Category:Clothing-optional events