Mardi Gras - Feb 16, 2010

These photos (taken by our friend Scott) are from the Parade of Orange Beach , Alabama.

The traditional colors of Mardi Gras are purple (symbolic of justice), green (symbolic of faith) and gold (symbolic of power). The original selection of these colors originates from 1872 when the Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff of Russia visited New Orleans.

French Explorer Sieur D'Iberville brought Mardi Gras to America n 1699. It became a celebration before Lent and so were its ties to Christianity forged.

In medieval times in Europe, landed gentle folk would ride through the countryside and reward the peasant workers with cakes (thought to be the origin of the King Cake) and gold coins.

The first Mardi Gras parade was in 1837 (173 years of evolution!).

The King Cake, a round traditional cake of Mardi Gras, is made from danish pastry dough topped with icing in traditional colours of purple, green and gold. This tradition dates back to the twelfth century in France and came to America around 1870.