On Mardi Gras today, let the good times roll!
Common theme is merriment, fun and revelry, before Lent begins on ash Wednesday
“Laissez les bon temps rouler (Let the good times roll)!” Today is officially Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, the final day of feasting and revelry before the 40 days of Lent begins.
Mardi Gras dates back thousands of years, to pagan spring and fertility rites, History.com reports.
Mardi Gras is a last chance to eat rich foods, to splurge and party before Lent begins, and along with it penance, in which people give up something for 40 days.
In the United States, the Mardi Gras tradition is thought to have begun in 1699, just south of what is now New Orleans. Explorers landed in the region and named the spot Point du Mardi Gras, History reports, and held a small celebration. Those celebrations evolved and grew to the festive events that we see today.
Mardi Gras is synonymous with New Orleans, yet the city is not the only one to observe the traditions with parades and parties. Cities across Louisiana hold their own observances, as do residents in Rio de Janeiro, Italy and Cologne, Germany, according to Mardigras. com.
Louisiana is the only state in the union that observes Mardi Gras as a legal holiday.
But whether one celebrates in Louisiana or
Yuma, Mardi Gras has some common themes. There are three key colors: purple, green and gold, which have significance. The purple represents justice, the green is for faith and gold is for power.
Revelers also choose festive masks, which stem from celebrations hundreds of years ago. They allowed people to escape the class system, just briefly, and mingle with each other.
Other celebrations include parties, king cakes, beads and parades. But above all, the common theme is merriment, fun and revelry, before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.
DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS OR NOT?
You can write a letter to the editor or comment on this editorial online at yumasun.com
Will you celebrate Mardi Gras today, Yuma? Let us know. Share your thoughts and Mardi Gras experiences at www.yumasun.com, or send us a Letter to the Editor at letters@yumasun.com.