Celebrating Mardi Gras 2022

February 21, 2022

Just because you’re not in New Orleans doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on the bright traditions and colors of Mardi Gras. From learning about the different colors and their meanings to enjoying King’s cake, there’s still a lot you can do to celebrate at home.

A Brief History of Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras dates back thousands of years with its roots in pagan spring celebrations and festivals. These festivals were then incorporated by the Romans when they adopted the Christian faith. This established what is now the Carnival season, starting on January 6^th and ending with Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday.” Fat Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Traditionally, the time leading up to Fat Tuesday was spent eating any remaining meats and fats before fasting for Lent.

Mardi Gras Traditions

Mardi Gras has been practiced in the United States since before it was a country. Because of how long it has been celebrated, a variety of traditions have evolved along the way. One popular and iconic tradition is wearing beaded necklaces. Each color of the necklaces has its own meaning, and these necklaces have become an essential part of the celebration. People will gather around floats to catch beads that are thrown their way, hoping to collect as many as they can. Floats have also become another popular tradition of the Mardi Gras celebration. Using bright colors and creative designs, people work all year round to create a float that will make a lasting impression in the parades.

The Colors and Their Meanings

One of the most important parts of celebrating Mardi Gras is the colors. The three official colors of Mardi Gras are purple, gold, and green, all of which have their own important meanings:

1. Purple

In the celebration of Mardi Gras, purple represents justice. Often considered a royal color, the color purple initially was only in the hands of the wealthy. As time went on and the color became more accessible, it also became connected to justice.

2. Gold

Gold represents power. The color gold has been linked to power and wealth for ages, dating back thousands of years. This color was chosen to represent power, wealth, wisdom, and prestige when the celebration was first organized.

3. Green

For Mardi Gras, green represents faith. Though the color green has been used to represent a variety of things over the years, it often symbolizes fertility and growth.

Bringing the Carnival Celebration to You

Even though you might not be in New Orleans, there are still many ways you can enjoy the traditions of Mardi Gras this coming season. One of the greatest ways to enjoy the beautiful colors of Mardi Gras is by decorating your home with flowers. Here at Flower Works, we have purple irises, yellow roses, yellow spider mums, and lots of other choices to help you bring Mardi Gras to you. No matter what you’re doing or where you might be this Carnival season, flowers are the perfect way to brighten up your space.

Making the Best of Mardi Gras in Marquette

The colors, traditions, and history of Mardi Gras all contribute to a beautiful and festive celebration. Whether they’re for you or for a loved one, flowers in the bright colors of Mardi Gras are an amazing way to celebrate the season without having to leave your home. Here at Flower Works, we have a wide variety of options to choose from, allowing you to find something you love for any occasion. To order flowers or learn more about our services, contact us here or give us a call at (906) 273-1335.

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