Mardi Gras is a huge annual celebration that takes place in New Orleans and other parts of the Gulf Coast. It is a carnival that involves parades, parties, and festivities leading up to the Christian fasting season of Lent. Two colors that are iconic for Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold. These colors each have symbolic meaning related to Mardi Gras traditions and history.
The History of Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras has its roots in religious and pagan traditions. It originated as a last celebration before the Catholic fasting period of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday. “Mardi Gras” means “Fat Tuesday” in French, referring to the last day to indulge before Lent. The first Mardi Gras celebrations in North America took place when French explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville camped near the mouth of the Mississippi River on March 2, 1699. As New Orleans and French Louisiana were established, elaborate Mardi Gras balls and celebrations became popular among French Creole society.
When New Orleans came under Spanish rule in the late 18th century, the governors tried to ban or limit public Mardi Gras activities. But residents continued to celebrate in secret masquerade balls and unofficial parades. In the early 19th century, New Orleans and Louisiana were acquired by the United States. American migrants brought Ango-Saxon traditions to Mardi Gras such as masking and parades. After the American Civil War, Mardi Gras grew into a major public spectacle with organization by social clubs and designated routes.
Symbolic Meanings of Purple
The color purple has been intertwined with Mardi Gras for generations. It is one of the traditional Mardi Gras colors along with gold and green. The specific shade of purple associated with Mardi Gras is known as “justice purple”.
Purple’s connection to Mardi Gras stems from Medieval Europe when purple dye was very rare and expensive. It became associated with royalty and power. During Carnival seasons the Catholic priests would drape their altars with purple as a symbol of piety and repentance before Lent.
The purple in Mardi Gras carries on this traditional symbolism of royalty and piety. It represents justice and power from ancient times when only kings could afford purple fabrics. The color reminds celebrants of their power before repenting for Lent. It is sometimes said that justice rides before power, hence the phrase “justice purple.”
In New Orleans, members of certain Mardi Gras krewes often wear purple colored costumes and throws. The Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club, a historic black krewe, uses purple in their costumes along with gold. Other krewes have purple as an accent color along with green and gold. Purple flowers and decorations also adorn parade floats. The vibrant purple hue stands out against the cold grey skies of late winter.
Meaning of the Color Gold
Gold is the other iconic Mardi Gras color along with purple and green. Also known as yellow, gold carries intertwining meanings of faith and power.
Like purple, gold was historically associated with royalty in Medieval Europe. The rulers draped themselves in gold jewelry and fabrics as a display of status, wealth, and earthly power. Gold had divine and spiritual symbolism as well, representing the light of God.
These dual meanings carry through in the gold of Mardi Gras. The extravagant hues and flourishes evoke earthly celebrations, wealth, and status. The streets become awash in shimmering gold beads, doubloons, and costumes. Gold invokes the last earthly indulgences before Lenten repentance and reflection on the divine.
The color gold is especially significant for the Zulu parade with their glitzy costumes and coconut throws painted gold. But all krewes incorporate the bold yellow-gold in floats, costumes, and decorative paint jobs. It lights up the streets with a festival atmosphere.
Some note that purple and gold were chosen as Mardi Gras colors because together they create green. Green is thought to represent faith in the Catholic tradition as well as the celebration of life.
Origins of Traditional Colors
The exact origins of how purple, green and gold became the traditional Mardi Gras colors remains uncertain. There are a few main theories and stories.
One account credits a visit from a Russian Grand Duke in 1872. The city decorated in the visiting Duke’s national colors of purple, green and gold to honor him. Residents liked the regal combination and adopted it permanently for Carnival.
Others say purple stands for justice, green for faith, and gold for power. Some note that purple also symbolizes temperance, green hope, and gold charity.
A popular legend claims that the colors were first established in 1892 when the Rex Organization chose purple for justice, gold for power, and green for faith. This palette caught on with other New Orleans krewes.
Yet another story suggests that a man named Pierre de Clouet picked the colors when he decorated his New Orleans home in the traditional hues one year. Neighbors saw the colors and wanted the same for their Mardi Gras decorations.
Whatever the exact origin, purple, green and gold became indelibly linked with Mardi Gras festivities by the late 1800s. The colors reign on floats, costumes, beads, and street decorations to this day.
Significance of Colors in Modern Mardi Gras
The iconic Mardi Gras palette continues to hold deep symbolic meaning in the modern celebration. Each color ties to traditional customs and conveys unique messages.
Purple represents justice, royalty, penance and temperance. It reminds celebrants of the implications of excess before the Lenten season. The rich purple hues also simply stand out and grab attention, amplifying the festive atmosphere.
Gold conveys earthly power, status, wealth and divine light all at once. Like purple, it draws the eye with its shimmer and luxury. Gold doubloons are especially prized parade throws.
Green stands for faith, life and hope. It is the color of the Spanish Moss dripping down oak trees in Louisiana. Some also say it brings good luck and fortune.
Beyond the symbolic meanings, these three colors also visually pop against the grey winter landscape of Carnival season. They create an explosion of life and revelry before the more somber Lent.
The colors now tie directly to New Orleans and Gulf Coast heritage. Seeing the parade floats gliding by draped in purple, green and gold instantly invokes the spirit of Mardi Gras. The colors mark the festivity as a revered local tradition.
Traditional Uses of Purple, Green and Gold
The iconic Mardi Gras colors are incorporated throughout every aspect of the Carnival celebrations across New Orleans and beyond:
– Parade floats are elaborately decorated in purple, green and gold. Everything from figures to backdrops utilize the three hues.
– Costumes worn by krewe members emphasize the traditional trio. Some designs entwine all three colors together.
– Throws & beads use the palette – purple, gold and multi-color beads are highly coveted.
– King cakes feature purple, green and gold sugars and decorations. Some king cakes are iced in the tricolor.
– Street decor like flags, wreaths and garlands contain the symbolic three colors. Houses are festooned in them.
– Thematic collectibles utilize the iconic palette, including cups, doubloons and art.
The prevalence of purple, green and gold makes them undeniably synonymous with Mardi Gras festivities. Seeing those colors immediately places one in the Mardi Gras spirit.
Other Symbolic Mardi Gras Colors
While purple, green and gold are the core iconic trio, other colors hold meaning in Mardi Gras as well:
– White represents piety and innocence
– Red conveys justice, passion and revelry
– Blue stands for peace, harmony and faith
– Silver links to calmness and serenity
– Orange ties to enthusiasm and warmth
These colors appear as accents alongside the classic purple, green and gold. Different krewes may incorporate them based on history or theme. For example, the Knights of Babylon use blue, gold and white.
So while purple, green and gold reign supreme, other hues can carry significance in certain parades or decorations. But the iconic trio is universally beloved as the pinnacle Mardi Gras palette.
Conclusion
Mardi Gras is a long-running, world-famous Carnival deeply engrained in New Orleans and Gulf Coast history. The festivities would not be complete without the presence of the traditional purple, green and gold colors. Each hue holds symbolic meaning and brings the parades and parties to life.
Purple represents justice, royalty, solemnity and temperance. Gold signifies earthly status and wealth as well as divine power. Green conveys faith, nature and luck. Together they create an explosion of color and expression before Lenten repentance.
The vibrant hues hearken back to European history but have become indelibly tied to local heritage. Seeing those colors invoke everything that makes Mardi Gras unique and special. They add aesthetic beauty, symbolic depth and regional tradition to the annual celebrations.
Mardi Gras is fast approaching for 2023. When the parade floats and costumes burst forth in their purple, gold and green finery, they will carry on a time-honored tradition. The iconic colors of Carnival continue to dazzle and make Mardi Gras magic in New Orleans and beyond.
