While Mardi Gras is just around the corner, February 25th, parades and celebrations have been nonstop for weeks. Mardi Gras is well-known for many things, but one of the most notable is the costumes. From lively colors to extravagant accessories, nothing can compare! Here are some of the key elements to almost all Mardi Gras costumes.
Colors
Mardi Gras has one of the most recognizable color palettes in the country! Green, purple, and gold makeup the iconic colors of this lively celebration. These have been the colors of Mardi Gras since 1872. It’s said that green represents faith, purple represents justice, and gold represents power. The combination of these striking colors is a perfect representation of the exuberant energy of the festival!
Masks
Another iconic element of Mardi Gras is, of course, the incredible masks. Ornate, colorful, beautifully bejeweled masks are everywhere during Mardi Gras! From full face to just the eyes, these add an air of mystery to everyone attending. Masks were originally worn during Mardi Gras to hide the identities of the wearers so they could escape the constraints of society. Now they serve as a fun tradition that adds excitement and intrigue!
Beads
During parades, krewes (those riding on Mardi Gras floats) toss trinkets to the crowd, the most famous of these being beads. Other trinkets such as doubloons, stuffed animals, cups, and more. Beads, however, are a staple of Mardi Gras attire! While the vast majority of beads being thrown are plastic, there is an opportunity to luck out and catch glass beads. These are recycled beads from the days before plastic, making them a little piece of history.
Sources:
https://www.mardigrasneworleans.com
https://www.oprahmag.com/life/g30430765/mardi-gras-traditions/
