Fat Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras is an unofficial celebration that is generally recognized by those of the Catholic denomination of Christianity, or by any other group that fasts for Lent during that same time (this would exclude the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox denominations, for example, who do not generally celebrate Lent at the same time).
It is celebrated on the day before Lent , the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. It is a day where people eat gluttonous amounts of rich fatty food, drink and 'partake in sin-like behaviors'...Hence the name "Fat Tuesday." it is a time to fast/give up your desires and recognize the Feast of Resurrection.
The Feast of Resurrection, commonly known as Easter, is on a Sunday each year, and the fast of Lent lasts 40 days, according to Catholicism. Therefore, Lent always begins on a Wednesday followed by Fat Tuesday as an annual celebration.
"Fat Tuesday" is synonymous with the French term Mardi Gras (also Shrove day)- Fat Tuesday is technically the day before Ash Wednesday. It is a day when people eat all they want of everything and anything- pure gluttony- because the following day is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent- a long fasting period for Christians.
Going by the technical definition Mardi Gras begins on the following dates:
The time varies from country to country and even city to city. Some traditions consider Mardi Gras as the Carnival period between Epiphany (Twelfth Night) and Ash Wednesday. Others treat the final three-day period as being Mardi Gras. On Bourbon St New Orleans Mardi Gras begins right after New Years.
Fat Tuesday is the last day before the beginning of the season of Lent, a Christian season of self sacrifice. I guess it's similar in a way to The Bachelor party before the wedding.
Roman Catholic AnswerIt comes from the very old regulation of not being able to use fats during Lent (like butter, lard, etc.) so Fat Tuesday was the last day you had to eat foods prepared with fat, and you had to get rid of all of it before Ash Wednesday. It, unfortunately, has degenerated into a party.Fat Tuesday is also called Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras (and lead to Carnival and Pancake Day) and is held on the day before Ash Wednesday
Fat Tuesday is the French Translation of 'Mardi Gras'- a day when French people were encouraged to idulge in fatty foods and cuisine in preparation for Lent.
Shrove is derived from the Latin verb scribere, meaning, to write- "to prescribe penance." During the middle ages, religious leaders would ensure that "shriveners" (priests) were available to hear the confessions of the multitudes of presumptuous sinners who had committed all types of iniquity during Carnival.
It was a way to indulge in Sin before the period of Lent- self restraint and denial- to rid yourself of your sins.
Pancake Day- England began the tradition of serving pancakes, and for this reason the day is known as "Pancake Day"
Carnival Carnival became associated with Shrove Tuesday, in part from the Spring Equinox celebrations practiced by the Romans and ancient tribes of Europe. The word "carnival" comes fromLatin carnem levare, meaning "to take away the flesh".
Mardi gras is French for Fat Tuesday, referring to the practice of eating rich, fatty foods in feasts before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday.
Fat Tuesday is always the day before Ash Wednesday. This year, 2009, Mardi Gras is February 24.
Mardi Gras is the original name of Fat Tuesday.
Fat Tuesday
Shrove Tuesday is called Mardi Gras, meaning Fat Tuesday.
Fat Tuesday - a Catholic date
The last day of Carnival; Shrove Tuesday; -- in some cities a great day of carnival and merrymaking.
I think FEB 21st Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday) 2006 February 28th Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday) 2007 February 20th Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday) 2008 February 5th Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday) 2009 February 24th Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday) 2010 February 16th Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday) 2011 March 8th Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday) 2012 February 21st Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday) 2013 February 12th Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday) 2014 March 4th Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday) 2015 February 17th Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday) 2016 February 9th Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday) 2017 February 28th Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday) 2018 February 13th Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday) 2019 March 5th Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday) 2020 February 25th
Fat Tuesday was invented by Mardi Gras.
Live at Fat Tuesday's was created in 1991.
The French word for 'fat Tuesday' is Mardi Gras.
It is French for Fat Tuesday.
Germans eat rich pastries on Fat Tuesday such as Paczki doughnuts.
Catholics started Fat Tuesday. It is because of the Catholic Christian tradition of Lent that Fat Tuesday exists. Think of the predominant religion in the places where Fat Tuesday is most celebrated. Catholic culture and history is significant New Orleans and Brazil.
Mardi Gras is "Fat Tuesday" - the day before Ash Wednesday. Many Christians will fast or go on a reduced diet for the 40 days of Lent, the period between Ash Wednesday and Easter. As a sort of "last hurrah" before the fasting of Lent, many cultures have a rowdy feast the day before; "Fat Tuesday", or in French, Mardi Gras.