Mardi Gras is a festive celebration that takes place every year before the season of Lent. The festival is marked by parades, parties, and people wearing costumes and masks. Three colors that are prominently featured during Mardi Gras celebrations are gold, purple, and green. Each of these colors has a specific meaning and significance to the Mardi Gras tradition.
The History of Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras has its origins in medieval Europe. Before the fasting period of Lent, people would celebrate and indulge. When French colonists settled in Louisiana in the 17th and 18th centuries, they brought these traditions with them. The first Mardi Gras parades took place in New Orleans in the late 1800s. Over time, the celebration grew into a major tourist attraction for the city.
While the parties and parades are central to Mardi Gras, the elaborate costumes and masks are a highlight as well. The signature colors of Mardi Gras – gold, purple, and green – originated from the traditional gifts given during medieval royal pageants:
– Gold symbolized power
– Purple symbolized justice
– Green symbolized faith
These royal colors were adopted by the first Krewe organizations and remain iconic symbols of Mardi Gras today.
The Meaning of the Colors
The three official Mardi Gras colors each have distinct meaning and significance:
Gold
Gold represents power, wealth, and royalty. During medieval times, only kings and queens wore the color gold. For Mardi Gras, gold symbolizes the power held by Rex, the King of the Carnival.
Many Mardi Gras krewe members wear gold colored masks and costumes to portray their high status during the celebrations. Gold coins and other shiny baubles are frequently thrown from parade floats and caught by eager crowds. The prevalence of gold during Mardi Gras honors the rich history of European rulers.
Purple
The color purple embodies both justice and royalty. In medieval times, purple dye was expensive to produce and associated with the ruling class. Purple robes were reserved for kings, nobles, and magistrates.
For Mardi Gras, purple symbolizes the justice of law, especially Rex’s decree that the celebrations must come to an end at midnight on Fat Tuesday. Purple masks and costumes remind revelers that the party can’t last forever.
The Krewe of Orpheus uses purple as its signature color. Floats are adorned with purple flowers, and members wear purple masks and costumes. The prevalence of purple pays tribute to the concepts of justice and nobility.
Green
Green has long been a color associated with faith and rebirth. During the Middle Ages, green was linked to springtime and the resurrection promised by faith.
For Mardi Gras, green represents the coming of spring and the celebrations leading up to Lent. Green is thought to embody faith in the future and the promise of new life. Many floats contain green symbols like leaves and ferns to herald the coming of spring.
Green beads, masks, and outfits remind revelers that Lent and Easter are approaching. The rich green hues pay tribute to faith and renewal.
Use of the Colors Today
The traditional Mardi Gras colors remain a key part of modern celebrations:
| Color | Where It’s Used |
|---|---|
| Gold | Costumes, masks, beads, coins, crowns, scepters |
| Purple | Costumes, masks, flowers, flags, capes |
| Green | Costumes, masks, beads, leaves, ferns, wreaths |
Parade krewes incorporate all three colors into their costumes and floats. Revelers often wear all three as necklaces and bead sets. The colors appear on street signs and advertisements for Mardi Gras events.
While gold, purple, and green have evolved from their medieval origins, they remain integral to the modern Mardi Gras experience. The colors connect today’s celebrations to centuries of history and tradition. Their symbolic meanings infuse the festivities with richer significance.
Conclusion
Mardi Gras is marked by elaborate costumes, masks, parades, and parties. But the signature colors of gold, purple, and green elevate the experience into a meaningful tradition. Each color has a unique symbolic meaning tied to medieval history.
Gold represents the power of royalty and Rex as the King of Carnival. Purple symbolizes justice and nobility. Green heralds the coming of spring and the promise of new life. The prominence of these special colors enriches the revelry with purpose and heritage.
The next time you see the streets exploding with gold, purple, and green, remember that the colors carry on centuries of tradition. Their special meanings make Mardi Gras more than just a wild party – they make it a true celebration of faith, power, justice, and renewal.
