The colors associated with Mardi Gras have special meaning in the Catholic faith. Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is the final day of celebration and indulgence before the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and repentance leading up to Easter. The colors of Mardi Gras originate from Catholic symbolism and have been an integral part of the festivities for centuries. The three official Mardi Gras colors are purple, green, and gold. Each color carries a specific meaning and represents an important aspect of the Lenten season. Understanding the religious significance behind the colors of Mardi Gras provides insight into this beloved Catholic tradition.
Purple
The color purple represents justice, penance, and temperance. During Lent, purple vestments are worn by priests in Catholic churches as a symbol of penance and sacrifice. The 40 days of Lent mirror Christ’s 40 days spent fasting in the desert while being tempted by Satan. The color purple reminds Catholics to focus on repentance and aligning one’s spirit with the will of God. It is the color of somber reflection and spiritual growth. Purple harkens back to the purple robe placed on Jesus before his crucifixion. The suffering of Jesus and his sacrifice for humanity are central themes of the Lenten period. The purple of Mardi Gras marks the beginning of this solemn religious observance.
Green
The color green is meant to represent faith and hope. As winter gives way to spring, the greening of the land signifies renewal and spiritual rebirth. Green points ahead to the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday. It reminds Catholics that sacrifices made during Lent will lead to salvation. While purple reflects sorrow and penance, green introduces the optimism of new beginnings. It speaks to the expectant hope that comes with the promise of eternal life. The alternating purple and green colors of Mardi Gras symbolize the duality of Lent as both a season of solemn reflection and hopeful anticipation.
Gold
Gold stands for power, nobility, and virtue. The opulent color was historically associated with European kings and royalty. In a religious context, gold represents the majesty and glory of God. During Lent, gold symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. As the 40 days of sacrifice and purification come to a close, gold points ahead to the coming victory of Christ over death. It is a color of celebration, exuberance, and the generosity of spirit that comes with faith in the Resurrection. The gold of Mardi Gras also evokes the golden crowns awarded to victors during Biblical times. For Catholics, it represents the ultimate reward of eternal life that awaits at the gates of Heaven.
History of the Colors
The tradition of Mardi Gras colors began in Europe during medieval times. The royal houses of France first established purple, green, and gold as the official colors of Carnival, the Catholic holiday preceding Lent. Purple robes were reserved for kings and high officials, green for the nobility, and gold for anyone rich enough to afford it. Eventually purple, green, and gold made their way to New Orleans, brought by French and Spanish settlers. The colors were appropriated for fabrics, decorations, costumes, and the trinkets thrown during parades. Today, they remain iconic symbols of Mardi Gras revelry around the world. While their royal origins have faded, the colors still carry religious and spiritual meaning for Catholics.
Use of the Colors Today
| Color | Traditional Use |
|---|---|
| Purple | Mardi Gras flags, drapes, costumes, king’s cloak |
| Green | Masks, pendants, drapes, costumes |
| Gold | Costumes, crowns, pendants, coins |
The colors of Mardi Gras are more visible now than ever before in history. Their religious symbolism may have faded from public consciousness, but the hues remain a vital part of Mardi Gras tradition. Purple adorns parade floats, drapes, and king’s cloaks. Green embellishes masks, pendants, drapes, and all manner of costumes. The glint of gold can be seen on crowns, coins, and luxurious fabrics. While indulging revelers may focus more on earthly pleasures than spiritual reflection, the colors continue to evoke Lenten themes of penance, faith, and redemption. For devout Catholics, they serve as subtle reminders to temper frivolity with humility.
Mardi Gras Outside of New Orleans
New Orleans is famous for its massive Mardi Gras celebrations, but Fat Tuesday festivities take place all over the Catholic world. Wherever Mardi Gras is observed, the symbolic colors remain integral to events. In Rio de Janeiro, purple, green, and gold permeate every aspect of Carnival. Parades in Mobile, Alabama feature extravagant floats reflecting the colors. Even Mardi Gras pancakes are decorated with purple, green, and gold toppings. For Catholics unable to attend grand celebrations, simple acts like baking three-colored cookies or wearing a beaded necklace evoke the colors’ significance. As understated symbols of faith, the hues maintain spiritual meaning whether celebrated exuberantly or quietly.
Secular Appropriation
As Mardi Gras evolved into a mainstream cultural phenomenon, its religious colors were appropriated for secular purposes. Many party supply companies mass produce purple, green, and gold decorations stripped of spiritual context. Revelers pursue earthly delights rather than spiritual goals. Major corporations from beer brands to coffee shops market Mardi Gras themed products in the colors. While this commercialization undermines the colors’ original meaning, it also keeps their symbolic potency alive through continued mass exposure. Regardless of how they are used, the colors maintain subtle power to evoke ideas of indulgence and sacrifice.
Conclusion
The Catholic colors of Mardi Gras—purple, green, and gold—carry a rich spiritual meaning and centuries of history. Springing from medieval Catholic symbolism, they came to represent penance, faith, and power during the Lenten season. Traditionally worn by royalty and the elite, the colors made their way to New Orleans and became integral symbols of Fat Tuesday festivities. Today, the hues continue to permeate every facet of Mardi Gras celebration across the Catholic world. While their religious origins have faded from mainstream consciousness, the colors still evoke certain Lenten themes. Their potent symbolism persists even as Mardi Gras has been appropriated for secular pursuits. For devout Catholics, seeing the familiar purple, green, and gold hues serves as a subtle reminder of the Lenten virtues of temperance, renewal, and the glory of God.
