If you've ever attended Mardi Gras, you may believe there's nothing quite like it. You can read About Mardi Gras Invitations Cards as they evolved. However, a similar celebration had existed in Europe long before they arrived to the New World and settled in New Orleans. Way back in the time of the ancient Romans, a festival known as Lupercalia was regularly celebrated. This event was like a circus honoring the Roman deity Lupercus. Although Mardi Gras Invitations Cards were probably not available then, and these ancient events might not have been just as fun and exciting as the average Mardi Gras Party Celebrations, they may not have any other connection to the February festivities.
While a direct connection between the Mardi Gras invitations you sent out and those ancient celebrations may not be clear, it's not such a long shot that some convergence exists. Remember that Christianity first took hold in Rome. As was common at the time, many of the features of Lupercalia were blended into the new Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) traditions. For example, Mardi Gras became a time of merriment and indulgence. People could free themselves by wearing Mardi Gras masks. They could feast or could even abandon their senses to other Roman gods, such as Venus (Love) and Bacchus (Wine). Anyone who has ever attending a Mardi Gras costume event should be able to see the connection between those ancient, pagan festivals and modern Mardi Gras traditions and about Mardi Gras invitations cards history.
While ancient Rome's celebrations were some of the most well-known, other countries had them as well. For example, the Fasching festival was once held in Germany annually. The festivities started on the 12th night and continued on until what was known as Shrove Tuesday. England had their own Mardi Gras festivals through at least the 19th century but these started out as so-called renewal festivals. The symbolism was related to fertility and included games and other activities. By the end of these celebrations, villages would be fighting and people would be feasting on pancakes and alcohol.
It is believed that Mardi Gras was brought to United States in 1699 by the French explorer, Sieur d'Iberville. The Mardi Gras festival had been celebrated as a major holiday in Paris since the Middle Ages. Iberville sailed into the Gulf of Mexico and from there, launched an expedition up the Mississippi River. By March 3, 1699, Iberville had set up a camp on the West Bank of the River, about 60 miles south of the current city of New Orleans. Since it was the day Mardi Gras was being celebrated in France, Iberville named the site Point du Mardi Gras in honor of the Mardi Gras festival. Of course, you don't need to know this in order to send out some fabulous Mardi Gras invitation cards but it might be fun trivia to share with your guests.
Still others believe that Mardi Gras was brought to New Orleans in 1827 when a group of students who had recently returned from school in Paris donned Mardi Gras costumes and danced their way through the streets. The students had first experienced this revelry while taking part in Mardi Gras celebrations in Paris. In this version, it is said that the inhabitants of New Orleans were swiftly captured by the enthusiasm and quickly followed suit in the Mardi Gras celebrations. While these Mardi Gras party celebrations may not be the same as the ones today, it could have been an interesting precursor.
Make sure you know the right date for your Mardi Gras party. Mardi Gras celebration fluctuates between Christmas and Lent. Easter is always on a Sunday, but it can be any Sunday from March 23rd through April 25th. The Mardi Gras celebration period is always the 47 days that precede this allotted Sunday. Mardi Gras party invitations should be ordered right after your holiday Thanksgiving invitations cards and before your party Easter invitations. There are many more interesting details About Mardi Gras Invitations Announcements Cards for your reading. And, don’t forget your Mardi Gras holiday thank you cards.
Other Holiday Invitations of interest include Christmas invitations cards, about Christmas invitations cards and Halloween invitations cards.