Mardi Gras: who is behind the mask?

Mardi Gras Mask Making

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KING CAKE

A "king cake" is a cinnamon roll style of cake with icing on the top. During the Mardi Gras season the icing is colored and sprinkled with the traditional Mardi Gras colors: green, purple and gold. The cake is named after the three biblical kings. During the Carnival season, many groups will throw weekly king cake parties. The cakes are traditionally fried and filled with anything from cream cheese to praline. As a tradition, many cakes came with a small plastic baby inside. Whoever got the piece of cake with the baby inside had to buy the next cake.

PURPLE, GREEN AND GOLD

The traditional Mardi Gras colors, purple, green and gold, are said to have been chosen by Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia during his visit to New Orleans in 1872. The colors each have a specific meaning. The purple indicates "justice," gold for "power," and green for "faith."

KREWES

Pronounced "crew," a krewe is an organization which puts on a parade or a ball during the Mardi Gras season. The term is said to be coined by the Mistick Krewe of Comus, who were formed in the late 1800s. Each krewe has a captain who leads the planning of parades and building of floats. They wear masks in order to meet in secret.

MARDI GRAS MASKS

This tradition is mainly for krewe members. The masks are worn in order for members of each krewe to keep their anonymity. Each krewe has its own traditional mask, and is to be worn on and off the floats. Fun fact: many banks and convenience stores close on Fat Tuesday or require patrons to remove their masks upon entering.

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/03/08/mardi-gras-2011-popular-traditions-explained/