The History of Mardi Gras and The King Cake

Mardi Gras,"Fat Tuesday," has grown in popularity in recent years. Mardi Gras is also called Carnival. Carnival comes from the Latin words carne vale, meaning "farewell to the flesh." The Carnival season starts with the Epiphany, also known as Twelfth Night and Three Kings' Day. Epiphany, which falls on January 6, is twelve days after Christmas and celebrates the visit of the Wise Men bearing gifts for the baby Jesus. In cultures that celebrate Carnival …

…New World in 1699, when a French explorer Iberville arrived at the Mississippi River, about 60 miles south of present day New Orleans. He named the spot Point du Mardi Gras because he knew the holiday was being celebrated in his native country that day. In New Orleans celebrated Mardi Gras with masked balls and parties.Ten years later, the official colors of Mardi Gras were chosen: purple, symbolized justice; green, symbolized faith; and gold, symbolized power.