Christianity in general, or certain denominations? I grew up in an Advent Christian church, and we never did any of this......
Fat Tuesday
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Neesy
#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
It is believed that Mardi Gras parades began in New Orleans sometime around the 1830’s. These parades typically run throughout the Carnival season, which officially begins on January 6 (the Twelfth Night of Christmas). The carnival season ends on Fat Tuesday, the day before the start of Lent. In 1872, a group of businessmen invented a King of Carnival named Rex. Alongside the people in the parades (who were dressed as high-class aristocrats), Rex tossed sugar coated almonds into the crowds. These Mardi Gras “throws” were similar to the festival customs of the English Renaissance era.
During the late 1800’s, inexpensive necklaces made of glass beads began to be tossed into the crowds by the parade krewes. The beads were an instant hit among the crowds of New Orleans residents and visiting Mardi Gras tourists. It is believed that a man dressed up as Santa Claus was the first person in a New Orleans parade to use the beads in his costume. Other tourists soon followed his lead and they began to decorate themselves with the bead necklaces.
By 1900, over 100,000 tourists traveled to New Orleans to participate in the celebration and to get some of their own Mardi Gras beads. Over the years, other Mardi Gras souvenirs have also been passed out to the crowds during the parades such as plastic cups, toys, Frisbees, figurines, and doubloons.
In the late 1970’s, a group known as “Zulu” handed out coconuts to the crowds at the Mardi Gras parades. However, this practice was short-lived due to the fear of injury if the coconuts were tossed into the crowd. Zulu fought back claiming that there was no liability for the beads being tossed into the crowds. In 1988, Louisiana governor Edwin Edwards signed a “coconut bill” into law. This bill stated that coconuts could be handed out to the crowds with the beads during Mardi Gras.
Despite all of these other souvenirs, bead necklaces remain the most popular trinket passed out during the celebration. Today, Mardi Gras beads can be found in various sizes, shapes, and colors. The most popular size today is about thirty three inches long. They are also now made with cheaper and safer materials like plastic and aluminum rather than glass. Traditional Mardi Gras beads are purple, green, and gold colors. The purple symbolizes justice; the green represents faith; and the gold signifies power.[/SPOILER]
During the late 1800’s, inexpensive necklaces made of glass beads began to be tossed into the crowds by the parade krewes. The beads were an instant hit among the crowds of New Orleans residents and visiting Mardi Gras tourists. It is believed that a man dressed up as Santa Claus was the first person in a New Orleans parade to use the beads in his costume. Other tourists soon followed his lead and they began to decorate themselves with the bead necklaces.
By 1900, over 100,000 tourists traveled to New Orleans to participate in the celebration and to get some of their own Mardi Gras beads. Over the years, other Mardi Gras souvenirs have also been passed out to the crowds during the parades such as plastic cups, toys, Frisbees, figurines, and doubloons.
In the late 1970’s, a group known as “Zulu” handed out coconuts to the crowds at the Mardi Gras parades. However, this practice was short-lived due to the fear of injury if the coconuts were tossed into the crowd. Zulu fought back claiming that there was no liability for the beads being tossed into the crowds. In 1988, Louisiana governor Edwin Edwards signed a “coconut bill” into law. This bill stated that coconuts could be handed out to the crowds with the beads during Mardi Gras.
Despite all of these other souvenirs, bead necklaces remain the most popular trinket passed out during the celebration. Today, Mardi Gras beads can be found in various sizes, shapes, and colors. The most popular size today is about thirty three inches long. They are also now made with cheaper and safer materials like plastic and aluminum rather than glass. Traditional Mardi Gras beads are purple, green, and gold colors. The purple symbolizes justice; the green represents faith; and the gold signifies power.[/SPOILER]
Good to know they stopped all that coconut tossing.
These days it's just different kinds of coconuts.
You say that like it's a bad thing.
~~~I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts...............~~~
Not a bad thing, just not the original intent of the beads. See Spidey's post above.You say that like it's a bad thing.
According to current US Roman Catholic dietary guidelines for Lent, eggs are okay all the time now and meat (beef, pork, chicken--any 'flesh meat other than fish or shellfish)'s only prohibited on Fridays and Ash WednesdayI think you are kidding here, but if not what the heck?
It could be different in other places, though: we have some southeast Asian Catholics at our church who claim that chicken is okay during Lent where they live. I dunno.Now, what are we going to have for dinner tomorrow.....?
Nope, not kidding. I knew it came before lent, and there was a lot of food involved......but I was raised in the sticks, and sheltered from the rest of the world until I graduated from high school.I think you are kidding here, but if not what the heck?
Neesy
#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
Grew up in a mixed household - Dad was French Canadian Catholic, mother was Scottish Presbyterian - no wonder I am so mixed up!
I don't do any of that either; Mardi Gras is a regional thing. I do observe Lent though. As far as I know, Lent is a general Christian thing, but I could be very wrong. Other regions have other ways of celebrating. In Rio and Venice, Italy for example, they celebrate Carnivale.
And of course there is always Google. It's magical for finding out "stuff."
It's generally the denominations that aren't far from Catholicism that still recognize Lent, Like Lutherans and Episcopalians. Maybe Presbyterians? Not sure on that one. I know others that are farther from the Mother Tree (lol), like Baptists, Methodists, Adventists, etc. don't observe.I don't do any of that either; Mardi Gras is a regional thing. I do observe Lent though. As far as I know, Lent is a general Christian thing, but I could be very wrong. Other regions have other ways of celebrating. In Rio and Venice, Italy for example, they celebrate Carnivale.
And of course there is always Google. It's magical for finding out "stuff."
With my belly....every Tuesday is Fat.........
You grilled and ate the meat dress, didn't you?With my belly....every Tuesday is Fat.........
It was divine.........especially the shank portion...........
Let me put it another way... Just think of Mardi Gras as an elaborate Breast Cancer Awareness Day, and the examination fee is made in beads.
I did not know that. Thanks skimom2 !
I was at a parade. Catching beads. With my face.
I like the local daytime parades. None of that nekkid, drunken rowdiness. Well, not as much, anyway.
;-)