What is Mardi Gras, and why is it celebrated? The name Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday, so called because it is the last day of feasting before the sacrifices and fasting that define the Christian season of Lent. But despite the fact that the holiday is associated with the Christian faith, everyone can participate. In New Orleans (pronounced "Orlins" by locals), the entire city does. Different clubs, or krewes, host parades and masked balls in the weeks leading up to Mardi Gras, and the holiday is renowned for merry-making and fun. Everyone should go, at least once in their lives!
When is Mardi Gras 2023? Mardi Gras changes dates each year because it is connected to Easter, which also changes dates each year. Mardi Gras always falls exactly 47 days before Easter. This year, Mardi Gras falls on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. However, the Carnival season is much longer than just one day. Each year, Carnival begins on January 6, or the Feast of the Epiphany in the Christian faith. The season ends on Mardi Gras, which is always the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of the Lenten season in the Christian faith. That means that this year, Carnival runs from January 6 to February 20.
Another phone shot, this time of Ronnie in the black filigree glitter mask. It was an experiment with a "hair" brush and I also added the strands of beads in Photoshop layers in the spirit of the bead throwing from the balconies in the French Quarter. Three more shots to follow.
@skipt07 I have three mannikin heads and one full size mannikin. I got them back in 2009 to take photos of my crocheted wearables for women for sale. I named them Ronnie, Olivia, Isabelle and Diana. Thank you so much, Skip!
@ljmanning Thank you, Laura.
@Dawn Thank you, Dawn.
@amyk Thanks, Amy.
@ludwigsdiana Thank you, Diana.
@joansmor Thank you, Pam!
@dkellogg Thank you very much, David!
@mittens Thank you, Marilyn.
@craftymeg Thank you, Margaret.
@vesna0210 Thank you, Vesna.
@photographycrazy Thank you!
Nicely edited.
@ososki Thanks, Bill!