Uncover CenturiesOld Traditions Of

By Molly Meredith Signal Staff Writer

The celebration of Mardi Gras has been a part of cultures for centuries. French for Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras falls on the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent a 40-day period of prayer and fasting observed by many Christians.

Mardi Gras is full of parades, parties and basically gastronomic indulgence before entering a period of abstinence and reflection.

The origin of Mardi Gras lies in ancient pagan celebrations of spring and infertility. It can be traced all the way back to medieval Europe. Although the festival season is celebrated in many cities, New Orleans, is one of the most well known.

The very first Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans was held in 1837. However, the first American celebration of Mardi Gras happened in 1699 near where New Orleans is now.

Mardi Gras is known for celebrating life. The most popular colors associated with Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold. These colors all have meaning as purple represents justice, green represents faith and gold represents power. Many people participate by wearing elaborate costumes and masks emulating these colors.

The traditional dessert associated with Mardi Gras is the King Cake. The cakes are fried, doughy, frosted and glazed in the traditional Mardi Gras colors. The dessert is braided and circular to resemble a crown. Many of these cakes have a small baby figurine inside and whoever gets the piece of

Why is Mardi Gras celebrated?

The history of Mardi Gras actually goes back centuries to pagan celebrations of spring and fertility, according to History.com. When Christianity arrived in Rome, religious leaders incorporated those popular traditions into the new faith. The Carnival season and Mardi Gras became a time for people to party and feast before the 40 days (not including Sundays) of inner reflection and repentance of Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday and ends Easter Sunday.

Is Mardi Gras only celebrated in New Orleans?

Mardi Gras is a legal holiday in Louisiana and many Americans are most familiar with this city’s celebrations. However it is also celebrated around the world. For example, both Brazil’s Carnival and Mardi Gras celebrate the days before Lent. In Brazil, it is filled with dancing, music in the streets, colorful costumes and parades. The two largest celebrations there are held in Rio de Janeiro and Salvador de Bahia. Celebrations are also held in several European countries.

What is the King Cake?

One of the iconic parts of Mardi Gras in New Orleans is the sweet, buttery pastry known as King Cake. The seasonal treat typically shows up in bakeries around January 6 for Three Kings Day and sticks around until Fat Tuesday. The cakes have a tiny plastic baby baked inside and whoever gets the slice of cake with the plastic baby will host next year’s Mardi Gras party and make the King Cake for that party.

Why are masks worn during Mardi Gras?

During the early Mardi Gras celebrations, revelers wore masks and elaborate costumes to remain anonymous while mingling with different social classes and participating in activities they wouldn’t normally do, such as drinking, dancing and gambling. Today, Mardi Gras-goers around the world still enjoy the tradition of donning masks as they shed their inhibitions and take part in the spirit of the party — because nobody knows who you are when your face is covered by a masquerade mask! Plus, the decorative and colorful facial coverings add to the magical spectacle that is Mardi Gras.

cake with the baby must host next year’s party.

The parades and parties are primarily hosted by social groups that are known as Krewes; each has its own history and traditions. There are more than 60 Krewes.

The royalty Krewes are Krewe of Zulu, which is named after the fiercest of the African tribes, and Krewe of Rex, which was responsible for the idea of the day parades, the official Mardi Gras flag and colors, and for the most popular throws, the doubloon.

The all-male Rex Krewe has ruled as king of Carnival since 1872. The Super-Krewes include Endymion, Bacchus and Orpheus.

Another tradition affiliated with Mardi Gras is the throwing of the beads. People on the floats or in the parades will throw beads, doubloons and other trinkets to the crowd. Spectators yell “Hey Mister, throw me some beads!” This is a tradition that goes back to the 1800s.

Mardi Gras in the Santa Clarita Valley

Festivities to attend in Santa Clarita for Mardi Gras include the following.

13th Annual Mardi Gras Madness

5K/10K

Sunday, Feb. 26, 7:30-11:30 a.m.

The event will be held at the Westfield Valencia Town Center and is hosted by UCLA Health, Santa Clarita Track Club and Westfield Valencia. There is also a 1k race. For more information, visit runsignup.com/Race/CA/Valencia/MGM5K.

Mardi Gras Trivia Night

Feb. 21, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Painting with a Twist is holding a Mardi Gras Trivia Night — Fleur de Magnolia, where you will paint a Fleur-de-lis with a Magnolia flower in the center. The event cost $39-$39 per person. For more information, visit www.paintingwithatwist. com/studio/santa-clarita/event/3246750. 