Mardi Gras (also known as Fat Tuesday) is perhaps the most flamboyant holiday in America and has become a global phenomenon due to its universal appeal with colorful decorations and wild partying.
In celebration of this most-unique day, we have featured some famous quotes about Mardi Gras that span its entire rich and intriguing history!
Table of Contents
What is Mardi Gras?
Purple, green, and gold beads. Throws. Intricate masks. Parades. Doubloons. New Orleans. King Cake. Elaborate balls. Mention Mardi Gras and these flood the mind. Mardi Gras is the traditional grand finale, the last day of joyful festivities that began on Three Kings’ Day. It’s often used interchangeably with Carnival, even though they aren’t the same. Carnival is the days of celebration that commence on January 6th and end on Fat Tuesday. Mardi Gras, French for Fat Tuesday, is the final day of feasting and festivities. Therefore, Mardi Gras marks the culmination of Carnival.
Carnival Mardi Gras Quotes
- It has been said that a Scotchman has not seen the world until he has seen Edinburgh; and I think that I may say that an American has not seen the United States until he has seen Mardi-Gras in New Orleans. Mark Twain
- There’s a thing I’ve dreamed of all my life, and I’ll be damned if it don’t look like it’s about to come true — to be King of the Zulu’s parade. After that, I’ll be ready to die. Louis Armstrong
- New Orleans is unlike any city in America. Its cultural diversity is woven into the food, the music, the architecture — even the local superstitions. It’s a sensory experience on all levels and there’s a story lurking around every corner. Ruta Sepetys
- Ozzy Osbourne and Motley Crue in New Orleans on Mardi Gras = bad idea! Nikki Sixx
- It’s in our soul to have Mardi Gras. Arthur Hardy
- Mardi Gras, baby. Mardi Gras. Time when all manner of weird shit cuts loose and parties down. Sherrilyn Kenyon
- Mardi Gras is in our soul. Kim Priez
- A great, wild, adult thing to see is the costume competition in front of the bar Oz on Bourbon early morning on Fat Tuesday. Bryan Batt
- I love Mardi Gras. I’m a street rat. Mitch Landrieu
Mardi Gras History
Paganism is likely the origin of Mardi Gras. Saturnalia was the worship of Saturn, the Roman god of agriculture. Saturnalia was a celebration that lasted for one week, ending on December 25th. The Romans believed, at the time, that December 25th was the winter solstice. After the winter solstice, the surplus food (meat in particular) was eaten to prevent it from spoiling or going to waste. Lupercalia was a decadent festival held on February 15th to celebrate fertility.
Aspects of the pagan customs were incorporated into Christianity after it arrived in Rome. December 25th eventually came to be recognized as Christmas. Some elements of the pagan traditions survived, such as the feasting (Saturnalia) and celebrations (Lupercalia). The merging of pagan and religious customs is how Carnival became associated with Christianity. Carnival begins on Epiphany (Three Kings’ Day) and ends on Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday). During Carnival, Christians feast on their favorite food and drink while engaging in joyful festivities before Lent, which is a period of prayer, fasting, and abstinence. Mardi Gras, always the day before Ash Wednesday, is the conclusion of Carnival. It’s the traditional day of joyful excess or the opposite of fasting and abstinence. Today, both Christians and non-Christians alike celebrate Mardi Gras.
There is debate as to when and where Mardi Gras began in the USA: Louisiana or Alabama? The first recorded celebration was in 1703 in Mobile, Alabama, where the French held festivities while wearing masks. At the time, Mobile was the capital of Louisiana. However, some believe Mardi Gras arrived on March 3rd, 1699, by the French explorers, Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and Sieur de Bienvillein. They dubbed the place they landed as Point du Mardi Gras, which was 60 miles south of the present-day New Orleans. New Orleans wasn’t founded until 1718, hence Mobile’s claim of having the oldest annual Mardi Gras celebrations in the USA. Another unresolved debate: Which of these two cities held the first parade?
Happy Mardi Gras Messages
- May this year’s Mardi Gras bring you joy, plenty of delicious food, and good fortune!
- Enjoy this time of the year, when everything looks so vibrant. Happy Mardi Gras to you!
- Leave everything negative behind, forget your problems for a day, smile and party! Have a wonderful Mardi Gras!
- Wishing you the very best for this Mardi Gras. Put on your dancing shoes and join us anytime.
- It’s time to dance, time to sing, time to leave your worries behind and feel the happiness of this giant party. Happy Mardi Gras!
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