January 15, 2014 (Wednesday)
The Carnival Season, associated with Mardi Gras, is under way in Louisiana–all over the state, and not just in New Orleans. In fact, Mardi Gras is spreading to other states, including Texas, but New Orleans is the epicenter in this country. There are, however, well-known season-long Carnival celebrations in Europe and Latin America, including France, Germany and Brazil.
The roots of Mardi Gras, believe it or not, are religious.* The words mean, “Fat Tuesday.” The name comes from the tradition of slaughtering and feasting upon a fattened calf on the last day of Carnival. Fat Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday, which always comes six weeks before Easter. The word,”Carnival,” which describes the frenzied activities leading up to Fat Tuesday, comes from the Latin words “Carne” and “Vale,” meaning “farewell to the flesh.” The Carnival season kicks off with the Epiphany, also known as Twelfth Night, Three Kings’ Day and, in the Eastern churches, Theophany. Epiphany, which falls on January 6, 12 days after Christmas, celebrates the visit of the Wise Men bearing gifts for the infant Jesus. In cultures that celebrate Carnival, Epiphany kicks off a series of parties leading up to Mardi Gras. The official colors of Mardi Gras, religious in origin, are: purple, a symbol of justice; green, representing faith; and gold, to signify power.
After Carnival comes Lent. The Lenten Season is the six-weeks period before Good Friday, the day on which our Savior was crucified. The season is observed by many Protestants as well as Catholics. It begins with Ash Wednesday, which is on March 5 this year. During Lent, many Christians commit to fasting or giving up certain types of luxuries as a form of sincere repentance and a promise to God to live a life of obedience to Him.
*Religious references underlined.