Today, March 1st is Fat Tuesday! When you are shopping at your local bakery or supermarket, you probably see signs for Paczkis and other rich treats for Fat Tuesday? Do you know the meaning of Fat Tuesday? For many, Fat Tuesday is a day of celebration and indulgence.
Facts about Fat Tuesday
- More Than One Name: Fat Tuesday goes by many names including Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, and Pancake Tuesday. The French translation of Fat Tuesday is Mardi Gras.
- Significance of the Date: The holiday marks the last of Carnival and the day before Ash Wednesday, the start of Lenten season.
- Carnival Celebrations: The Christian carnival celebrations begin on the Epiphany and ends on Fat Tuesday.
- Time to Eat: During Lent, many people abstain from specific foods and other activities. For followers, Fat Tuesday is the last day to indulge. Many celebrate the day with delicious meals and extravagant desserts.
- Stricter In the Past: Faithful Christians would abstain from all meat, fatty foods, and rich indulgent treats throughout the Lenten season.
- Official Colors: The colors for Mardi Gras are purple, gold, and green. Purple stands for justice, green for faith, and gold for power.
- Floats and Parades: In New Orleans in 1857, floats became part of the Mardi Gras parade for the first time. But the parades date back to 1838. Anyone who rides a float must by law wear a mask.
- Popular Dessert: Selling over 500,000 yearly, theKing Cake is the most prevalent sweet of a Mardi Gras. Named after the three kings who travel to visit the baby Jesus, the King Cake is rich in flavor of vanilla and cinnamon. Hidden inside of the cake is a plastic baby, the finder has good luck for the year.
How do you celebrate Fat Tuesday?
