At this event, the king, queen and court are formally presented. This is the fatted ox. Carnival's use of this ancient symbol dates back to the earliest Rex parade in 1872. The boeuf gras itself can be traced to early 16th century France, however. It is the symbol of the last meat eaten before the Lenten fast season, which begins at midnight on Fat Tuesday and continues through Easter.
Carnival is celebrated in many predominantly Catholic areas of the world.
Colors Purple, green and gold are instantly recognizable as Carnival colors. Purple stands for justice, green signifies faith, and gold denotes power. We didn't always have street lights, you know. In its most basic form, a king cake is a ring-shaped pastry topped with colored sugar, although fancier versions of this seasonal favorite feature icing and one of a variety of fillings. Krewe A general term denoting an organization, led by a captain, that parades during Carnival.