Carnival begins February 23rd this year. It is the two days before Ash Wednesday. Carnival includes Fasching, the Feast of Fools. Monday, the 23rd, is known as Shrove Monday, also called Rose Monday, the Monday before Lent. The word "shrove" comes from "shrive," meaning "the confessions of sins" -- something done in preparation for Lent
The word carnival comes from the Latin words meaning farewell to meat
Mardi GrasFor Christians, Mardi Gras is the last day to indulge before Ash Wednesday, which starts the sober weeks of fasting that come with Lent. Mardi Gras was formally known as Shrove Tuesday. Mardi Gras is a traditional holiday celebrated in many of the southern states of the USA, the most famous which takes place in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Mardi Gras came to New Orleans in 1699 when early explorers celebrated this French Holiday on the banks of the Mississippi River. Today people celebrate with parades and masquerade balls where they dress up in costumes. The official colors for Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold.
In 1872 Rex, the King of Carnival, chose these colors to stand for the following: Purple stands for justice, green for faith, and gold for power.
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