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Rex selected the official Mardi
Gras colors in 1872. The 1892
Rex Parade theme "Symbolism
of Colors" gave meaning to
the colors:

purple represents justice
green represents faith
gold represents power

Remember to wear Mardi Gras
colors whenever you're
not in costume!

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No one really knows where
or when the custom started,
and most don't care! Some
traceit to the Romans,
whose paganorgies were
held during the spring
season. Other places
celebrate Mardi Gras, but
no one does it like
New Orleans!
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In 1857, a group of men
formed a secret society
called the Mystick Krewe
of Comus. They felt that
Mardi Gras could be
carried on with planning
and organization of the
celebrations. Comus
planned the first parade
around a theme and
lit the parade with flambeauxs.

The Krewe of Rex formed in
1872 -- to entertain the
visiting Grand Duke Alexis
Romanoff from Russia.
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Since we didn't have royalty to
welcome the Grand Duke,
the men created a King "for
a day" so the Grand Duke
could be royally received.
They selected one of their own
members to be the King of
Carnival.  Many parades
keep their King's identity a
secret until parade day.

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New Orleanians have formed
many secret societies that serve
charitable and social functions.
They help unite the city with
their parade's themes. In 1877,
after an interruption for the Civil
War, the Krewe of Momus used
the theme "Hades, a
Dream of Momus" ridiculing
President Grant.

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Most Mardi Gras Krewes
developed from private
social clubs that have
restrictive membership
policies. Since all of these
parade clubs are funded
by its members, Mardi
Gras is sometimes called
the "Greatest Free Show
on Earth"!
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In 1991, the New Orleans City
Council introduced a parade
organization anti-
discrimination ordinance.
As a result, some of the
oldest private clubs -
Momus; Comus and Proteus,
no longer parade the streets.

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The most recently developed
parade organizations are open
and not  Secretive: Endymion,
Bacchus, Zulu, and some
Metairie parades feature
stars on their floats -- and all
are held in the few days
before Mardi Gras.

Mardi Gras Links:

Countdown to Mardi Gras
New Orleans Connection
Mardi Gras Greetings


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click above to go to Page Two
of the Mardi Gras Celebration

 

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Updated: June 27, 2006
©2001-056 GrannyDancer
all rights reserved


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