The Krokus

So today is Mardi Gras and here in Hasselt, it's pretty much like any other day. There are no parades, parties, or King cakes. School is out this week, but not for Mardi Gras - for Krokusvakantie (Crocus Vacation).

This is a crocus.

Native to areas in central and southern Europe, it is one of the first signs of Spring. I took this picture in the park near our house.

Mardi Gras, (aka Shrove Tuesday in the ethnic English tradition) is French for Fat Tuesday and is celebrated across the world, but the most famous celebration is probably in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and of course, New Orleans.

Mardi Gras is also celebrated in Belgium, but perhaps a bigger celebration known as Carnavale, may occur on what is Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Lent. That remains to be seen so I'll keep you posted.

Perhaps less known about Mardi Gras is its relation to the Christmas season. The Carnival season begins with Epiphany, also known as Twelfth Night which falls on Jan 6 - 12 days after Christmas. This begins the partying which leads up to Fat Tuesday. Epiphany is traditionally when King Cake is served, but we always served in on Fat Tuesday.

The first Mardi Gras in the States occurred in Mobile in 1699 with the founding of the Point du Mardi Gras site. Led by French explorer, Iberville, the site was named because the holiday was being celebrated in his home country on that very day. Keep in mind that Mobile was then part of the French territory and was the first capital of French Louisiana.

So, Mardi Gras in Mobile is the oldest continual annual Carnival celebration in America - over 15 years before New Orleans was even founded.

But back to the meaning behind it all. . .

Lent in the Christian tradition is the period leading up to Easter. a time of sacrifice for Jesus and preparation of the believer for the Easter events. Conventionally it is forty days long though different denomications calculate it differently. The forty days, according to the Bible, are the days Jesus spent in the desert. Catholics observe Lent and some Protestant churches do too.

Now as you may know, Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent which occurs 46 days before Easter (40 days minus Sundays). It is the day when ashes are placed in the sign of the cross on the forehead of the faithful to signify repentance.

So why does the date for Easter and Lent and Mardi Gras and Ash Wednesday change every year? After all, Christmas is always Dec 25; Valentines is always Feb 14; Halloween is always Oct 31, etc.

Well, it's a bit complicated and I'll never remember from year to year how to calculate it, but this is how it goes:

Easter is always the first Sunday after or on the first full moon after the Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and the autumnal Equinox in the Southern hemisphere.

Lent is 40 days before Easter, not counting Sundays.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and Mardi Gras is the day before Ash Wednesday.

That's it!

I think I'll just look at a calendar with holidays already on it.

And if you're looking for a really great King Cake, I know an awesome chef!