The Many Ways to Say “Fat Tuesday”!
Check out this nursing scrubs top from Koi Scrubs named…Mardi Gras! We think with it’s bright colors and bold statement it’s a great way to continue the fun, long after the parade has ended.
Even though celebrations started this past weekend all across the country, today is offiically “Fat Tuesday”, which is the last day of Carnival season. Fat Tuesday historically falls the day before Ash Wednesday which is the start of Lent. This is a time to join in festitivies before many Christians make food or habit sacrifices for the 46 days of Lent.
Most everyone knows about the big Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans, but look at the ways that different cultures but their own unique “spin” on this holiday:
- In the UK and Ireland Fat Tuesday is known as Pancake Tuesday because pancakes use ingredients like eggs, milk, and sugar which were considered too “rich” for consumption during Lent so they were used up in a final feast before they were traded for “plainer” meals.
- German-Americans know Fat Tuesday as Fastnacht Day which is a doghnut pastry which was created with similar intentions of “Pancake Tuesday”, to rid people’s cupboards of luxurious ingredients like butter and lard before Lent.
- Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian speaking countries know Fat Tuesday as Carnival which is celebrated with parades, costumes, and often masquerades before Lenten fasting.
- In Denmark Fat Tuesday is commonly known as Fastelavn, where children dress up in costume and families gather to play games and take part in a “Fastelavn feast”.
Do you have any unique Fat Tuesday traditions? Leave us a comment below!