Mardi Gras shade of purple code

Mardi Gras might be a time for fun and games but LSU has experts that study this holiday season. From the history and traditions to the economic impact, laissez les bon temps rouler* with us in Baton Rouge. Translation: *Let the good times roll.

10 Spectacular Mardi Gras Color Palettes

With the rhythm and melodies of jazz, festive celebrations from parades to parties, and the traditional colors that adorn every aspect of Mardi Gras, it’s no wonder why this time of year is celebrated all around the world with unique flair and vigor!

Whether you’re attending a big parade and want to go full-on with flashy colors, or planning a small get-together with close family and friends, the following 10 Mardi Gras color palettes will help you find the perfect inspiration for your Mardi Gras plans.

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What is Mardi Gras?

Mardi Gras is a festive season that occurs before the start of Lent. The name Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday”, referring to the practice of indulging in rich foods before the restrictive fasting of Lent.

Mardi Gras celebrations vary from place to place, but common traditions include parades, masked balls, and king cake parties.

The colors of Mardi Gras – purple, green, and gold – represent justice, faith, and power respectively.

In the last few years, a distinctive shade of blue, generally referred to as “Rex blue”, has been gaining traction. This shade is thought to be linked to the King of Carnival, who was once appointed by Rex, the King of Mardi Gras.

Mardi Gras is most famously associated with New Orleans, Louisiana, where the celebration has been held since French colonists first arrived in the city in 1699.

Today, the city’s Mardi Gras celebrations are world-famous, attracting visitors from all over the globe.

What is Mardi Gras?

Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday and is the last day before the Catholic Season of Lent, when fasting begins. So, “Fat Tuesday” is the last day that people can indulge until Easter.

The parades are a Mardi Gras tradition and organized by Mardi Gras Krewes (pronounced “crews”). Each Krewe has its own royal court and hosts many parties and balls during Carnival Season. Their final event is typically the parade, which will take place during the weeks leading up to Mardi Gras. There are parades all over the state, including Baton Rouge, but the most famous parades take place in New Orleans.

Mardi Gras Colors: Purple, Green and Gold

The colors of Mardi Gras were selected by the Krewe of Rex in 1872. Purple represents justice, green represents faith and gold represents power.

LSU’s colors were influenced by the Mardi Gras colors. As the story goes, in preparation for LSU’s first football game against in-state rival Tulane in 1893, LSU football coach Dr. Charles E. Coates, football team captain (and later Louisiana governor) Ruffin Pleasant and others went to Reymond’s store in Baton Rouge. They were in search of colorful ribbon to adorn the football uniforms. The store had stocked up for Carnival Season, but the green ribbon had not yet arrived. Coates thought the purple and gold made a great combination, so he bought out their stock. From then on, LSU’s colors were purple and gold.

King Cake

King cakes are braided and baked cakes, topped with icing and sugar in the Mardi Gras colors. In Louisiana, it is traditionally reserved for enjoyment during the Carnival Season. It is first served on King’s Day (January 6) and lasts through the end of Mardi Gras. A traditional king cake comes without a filling inside, but over time, many bakeries began adding cream cheese, fruit or chocolate.

Traditionally, a small plastic baby representing Jesus is hidden in the cake. Tradition says whoever gets the king cake piece containing the plastic baby is supposed to provide the king cake for the next gathering.