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The Verse - Volume 15
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Purple Particulars – New Orleans, Mardi Gras and Purple
New Orleans is down, but hopefully it’s not out. Some say next year will see the famous celebration that New Orleans is known for, a celebration which predominantly features the color purple. A great tradition of New Orleans is Mardi Gras, one of the most famous Carnival celebrations. The traditional colors of Mardi Gras are purple, gold, and green. These are said to have been chosen in 1892, when the Rex Parade theme "Symbolism of Colors" gave the colors their meanings: Justice (purple), Faith (green) and Power (gold). The colors in turn influenced the official colors of Louisiana State University (purple and gold) and Tulane University (blue and green). Before and during Mardi Gras, purple, green, and gold fabric is certainly abundant.
The New Orleans Carnival season, with roots in Catholic ritual, starts on Twelfth Night (January 6). The season of parades, balls (some of them masquerade balls), and king cake parties begins on that date.
From about two weeks before, through Fat Tuesday, there is at least one major parade each day. The largest and most elaborate parades take place the last five days of the season. In the final week of Carnival many events large and small occur throughout New Orleans and surrounding communities.
more info about Mardi Gras
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