So people could over drink, over eat and have wild parties before they ask for forgiveness on Ash Wednesday. That's why Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) is always the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Then Lent, time to fast until Easter.
Mardi Gras, which is French for Fat Tuesday, is the final day of the weeks-long Carnival season of feasting and celebration. On Ash Wednesday Christian revelers sober up for the pre-Easter fasting and the penitential season of Lent. In other words, Mardi Gras was invented to give Christians a reason to party before they spent 6 weeks in prayerful penitence.
Originally, this holiday started in Orleans, France. When the french came to America, they brought this tradition with them to New Orleans. The reason it is called mardi gras is because in french that means Fat Tuesday. Fat Tuesday is right before Lent, and during Lent people fast. So they basically pig out (hence the fat part) on this day!
Mardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday" in French. Its a celebration of the eating fatty foods before fasting. People usually go around in masks and costumes dancing and having parades. how long Mardi Gras lasts matters in what city it takes place in, but usually
(due to its name...) it takes place on a Tuesday and lasts until Ash Wednesday.
Mardi Gras originated (inside the USA) in Mobile, AL in 1703, please check out these facts... http://www.squidoo.com/originalmardigras
it take place because of old time celebration of fat tuesday.
the Greeks were celebrating
pie
Mardi Gras does not always start on Tuesday, but ends on Tuesday...hence Mardi Gras (this is French Mardi=Tuesday, Gras=Fat...Fat Tuesday). It is the last day before Ash Wednesday which starts the fasting associated with Lent.
Seattle Mardi Gras Riots happened in 2001.
San Luis Obispo Mardi Gras controversy happened in 2004.
Mardi gras
yes
the JESTER is the Mardi Gras mascot.
Mardi Gras in 2009 is February 4.
Mardi Gras is practised in Haiti
Bon, in french, means good. Mardi Gras means 'Fat Tuesday.' Saying Bon Mardi Gras is the english equivilant to saying Happy Mardi Gras.
Mardi=Tuesday Gras=Fat Both are french words that when translated to english from Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday.
Mardi Gras was February 24, 2009.
The Mardi Gras Mystery was created in 1988.