Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday,” the last day before Lent, when Catholics were formerly forbidden to eat meat (or fat). Fat Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday, when the Lenten season begins. Depending on how early or late Easter is each year, Mardi Gras, or Carnival, can be celebrated in March or April. The first Mardi Gras celebration was in New Orleans in 1827. In olden times, people dressed in animal skin, pelted each other with bunches of flowers and drank wine. Also called Carnival, this is a very important rite of spring and has traveled all over the world. It is perhaps most grandly celebrated in Brazil. Carnival and Mardi Gras last for days and involve parades, costumes, special foods and much frolicking. This is an opportunity for you to choose what most appeals to you and create a gorgeous spring ritual.
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