Mardi Gras: Sound Like a Local

It's the season of Carnival! Get to know the language so you can jump right into the Mardi Gras fun.

Randazzo's King Cake

King cake is sprinkled with sugar in the colors of Mardi Gras.

Krewe of Hermes Mardi Gras Parade

Krewe of Hermes Mardi Gras Parade.

Mardi Gras Beads

Mardi Gras Throws.

Here are a few basic terms you'll want to know before you don a mask and head out for your first Carnival experience.

1. Mardi Gras

This is French for "Fat Tuesday," a reference to the fact that Mardi Gras always is the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent in the Catholic faith. Because the 40 days of Lent are considered a somber period of sacrifice, Fat Tuesday is seen by many as an appropriate time for indulgence and festivity — a last chance at revelry. Nowhere in the United States is Mardi Gras celebrated as it is in Louisiana.

2. Carnival

This word is not interchangeable with "Mardi Gras." Carnival refers to the whole period of time leading up to Fat Tuesday. The Carnival season officially begins on the Feast of the Epiphany. This date is also known as Twelfth Night (12 days after Christmas). Festivities kick off on a small scale at this time, then gradually pick up steam, peaking with many parades, balls and parties on the final two weekends before Mardi Gras. 

3. Krewe

This is a Carnival organization made up of members who plan and carry out the various themed parades and balls. The Krewe of Rex, for instance, honors the "king" of Carnival and stages a spectacular, traditional parade on Mardi Gras, along with an elaborate ball later that night. In keeping with the "mystical" tradition of Carnival, some of the oldest krewes keep their membership shrouded in secrecy. This is why krewes require members to wear masks during parades. (Wearing masks and costumes is also part of the fun for everyone else.) In addition to their Carnival activities, many krewes also participate in charitable efforts throughout the year.

4. Parade

OK, everybody knows what this is, but if you haven't seen a Mardi Gras parade, well, you haven't really seen a parade. For Louisiana parades, krewes build huge, elaborate floats that carry riders who may number in the dozens. The spectacle of these events is something to behold, and spectators get a bonus thrill as float riders toss loads of colorful trinkets along the way.

5. Throws

Around here, we call the parade trinkets "throws." The most common throws are strings of plastic beads that parade-goers love to collect and wear around their necks as "trophies" from their parade experience. Each krewe usually also throws doubloons, medallions, small toys and plastic cups imprinted with the krewe logo. 

6. Purple, Green and Gold

These are the official colors of Mardi Gras, and you'll see them everywhere. According to Carnival historians, the colors represent justice, faith and power respectively.

7. King Cake

You'll want to sample this Carnival tradition for sure! This sweet dough twisted and shaped into an oval is decorated with icing and purple, green and gold sugar crystals. King cake is actually more bread than cake. Be alert: A plastic baby is "hidden" in every king cake; this is to celebrate the feast of the Epiphany, when Jesus first showed himself to the three wise men and to the world. If you're the lucky one to find the baby in your slice, you provide the king cake for the next gathering! Add this king cake recipe to your celebrations.

Now that you're prepared to sound like a local, it's time to plan your trip to a Louisiana Mardi Gras. The celebration happens throughout the state, so explore the regions to find the festivities that match your style. And be sure to pick up a free Louisiana Official Inspiration Guide for all the inside knowledge you need to plan your trip.