Mardi Gras came to New Orleans in 1699 when early French explorers celebrated it on the banks of the Mississippi. New Orleanians added to the celebration by hosting parades and balls.
Mardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday" and is celebrated on that day of the week, this year on February 24th. But the date can fall between February 3 and March 9 depending on the lunar calendar that is used to determine the date of Easter. Mardi Gras is always 47 days before Easter Sunday. Ash Wednesday marks the end of Mardi Gras.
Throughout time, different Mardi Gras customs developed in different cultures. Who hasn't heard of Carnival in Venice with its beautiful masks, or Carnival in Rio with its Samba dancing in the streets.
In Germany, Mardi Gras is celebrated as Karneval, or Fasching. Paradise indeed for the sweet-toothed! At the traditional parades that take place in many cities and towns across Germany on Rose Monday, bystanders are showered with a bounty of candy treats (not beads) as the floats pass by.
In some cities, like Cologne and Mainz, businesses will be closed to allow employees to revel in the annual celebrations. There are "Kings and Queens" of Mardi Gras leading the processions. And there are even special Mardi Gras greetings indicative to the particular areas, for example, in Cologne the greeting of the day is "Alaaf", in Mainz and Frankfurt it's "Helau".
In areas of Southern Germany, Mardi Gras celebrations take on more a flair of chasing away the bad spirits of the dark season and celebrating the beginning of Spring.
The official colors for Mardi Gras were chosen in 1872 by the King of Carnival, Rex. They are: purple to represent justice, green to represent faith, and gold to represent power.
Wherever you may be to celebrate Mardi Gras - Enjoy!
If you are thinking about buying a home or land for personal or investment use, or you are thinking about selling in Hernando County, Florida, including the communities and neighborhoods of Hernando Beach, Weeki Wachee, Brooksville and Spring Hill, Glen Lakes, Timber Pines, Silverthorn, Seven Hills, Sterling Hill, Pristine Place, and Southern Hills Plantation and you want to work with a local area Realtor who knows these neighborhoods please contact Silvia Dukes, P.A., Tropic Shores Realty.
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