Carnival/Shrove Tuesday Home Calendar Holidays Carnival/Shrove Tuesday Carnival/Shrove Tuesday Shrove Tuesday is the last day before the long fast for the Lent period in many Christian churches. The day is the day before Ash Wednesday and usually falls between February 3 and March 9. It has many names, including Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, the Tuesday of Carnival, and Pancake Day. Colorful masks, elaborate costumes, parades and large crowds are all part of the Carnival festivities, also known as Mardi Gras, on Shrove Tuesday. Colorful masks, elaborate costumes, parades and large crowds are all part of the Carnival festivities, also known as Mardi Gras, on Shrove Tuesday. ©iStockphoto.com/Michael Funk What Do People Do? Shrove Tuesday is observed in many ways worldwide. It is known as Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, in countries such as France and the United States. No matter what its name is, the day before Ash Wednesday has long been a time for eating and merry making. The world's longest Carnival celebration is in Brazil but many regions have popular events on the day.

The Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans is typical of the masquerades and dancing in the streets that take place in many countries on this day as people prepare for the long Lenten fast. Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) festivities are particularly colorful in French cities such as Cannes, Grasse, and Nice. Celebrations feature grand parades of flower covered floats with giant figures. People are dressed in costumes and confetti is thrown as an expression of merriment or joy. A grotesque effigy that represents evil is burned at the end of the day. It is also traditional in many parts of France to eat a large meal that includes crepes or waffles. Some people in the United Kingdom celebrate the day, known as Pancake Day, with games and races that involve tossing pancakes in the air. People in some parts of northern Sweden eat a meat stew on Shrove Tuesday, while those in the south eat “Shrove Tuesday buns” called semlor, which are filled with almond paste and topped with whipped cream. This day is known as Carnival Tuesday in places such as Trinidad and Tobago where many people plan the event well ahead of time.

Musical competitions, elaborate costumes and specific characters dedicated to Carnival are some of the major highlights of this annual event. Many people in Haiti see the day as the biggest celebration of the year. Music, food and cultural shows are all part of the day. Shrove Tuesday in Lithuania is a folk celebration to rejoice end of winter. During this celebration attention is concentrated on chasing away winter with all its “evils”. It is also observed in other European countries such as the Czech Republic, Shrovetide processions are still part of folklore celebrations. Children in countries such as Estonia and Finland enjoy the day outdoors on Shrove Tuesday, mainly engaging in activities such as sledding. A typical Finnish meal on this day may include pea soup and blini, or rich pancakes, served with caviar and Smetana, a kind of sour milk. Public Life Shrove Tuesday, or Carnival Tuesday, is a public holiday in places such as Haiti, Liechtenstein (although the date differs), Panama, Portugal, and Venezuela. It is a holiday that may be restricted to government and/or bank employees, as well as some businesses, in places such as Angola, Dominica, Ecuador, and Trinidad and Tobago.

It is an optional day off without pay in Brazil and it is not an official public holiday in French Guiana but it is a customary day off for workers. It is a public holiday in some parts of the United States , but not in the United Kingdom , Canada or Australia although there are many festivities related to this holiday on the day. Background The name Shrove Tuesday is derived from the Christian custom of confessing sins and being absolved just before Lent. Shrove Tuesday was traditionally a time to use up all the milk, butter and eggs left in the kitchen. These ingredients were often used to make pancakes, which is why the English call it Pancake Day. In early England, people were supposed to go to their confessors the week prior to Lent and confess their sins. Carnival Tuesday’s origins may be traced back to a time when restrictions regarding food and entertainment were made during the 40 days of Lent, which commemorates the Passion of Jesus Christ. It was common for people to host large festivities as the last possible opportunity before fasting. During times in history when slavery was more prevalent, particularly in areas such as Haiti, slave masters continued to celebrate Carnival. The slaves could not participate in the same manner because they were not free.

After gaining their independence, many of them took advantage of their freedom by celebrating Carnival for the first time. The celebrations featured beautiful clothing, festive music, and cultural shows Symbols Carnival Tuesday is often characterized by masks, music and colorful floats on parade for various festivities organized for the day. Trinkets are popular in some parts of the world, while King Cakes symbolize the event in places such as New Orleans. Pancake Tuesday is symbolized by pancakes, which are made from ingredients traditionally restricted during Lent, such as eggs and milk. Note: Timeanddate.com has tried to get different perspectives on the day before Ash Wednesday but it does not cover all customs, events, traditions and historical facts relating to this holiday. This article serves to provide general information only. Quick Facts Shrove Tuesday is a religious holiday that is on the day before Ash Wednesday. It is also known as the Tuesday of Carnival, which is a festive occasion among many cultures.

Carnival/Shrove Tuesday 2017 18 countries – Tuesday, February 28, 2017 United States – Tuesday, February 28, 2017 (local in Florida) / Tuesday, February 28, 2017 (local in Alabama, Louisiana) / Tuesday, February 28, 2017 Carnival/Shrove Tuesday 2018 18 countries – Tuesday, February 13, 2018 United States – Tuesday, February 13, 2018 (local in Alabama, Louisiana) / Tuesday, February 13, 2018 / Tuesday, February 13, 2018 (local in Florida) Advertising Shrove Tuesday - 必应 Sign in Shrove Tuesday Shrove Tuesday (known in some countries as Pancake Tuesday) is a day in February or March preceding Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent), which is celebrated in some countries by consuming pancakes.

In others, especially those (including Louisiana) where it is called Mardi Gras or some translation thereof, this is a carnival day, and also the last day of "fat eating" or "gorging" before the fasting period of Lent. This moveable festival is determined by Easter. The expression "Shrove Tuesday" comes from the word shrive, meaning "absolve". Shr ... (展开) rove Tuesday is observed by many Christians, including Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists and Roman Catholics, who "make a special point of self-examination, of considering what wrongs they need to repent, and what amendments of life or areas of spiritual growth they especially need to ask God's help in dealing with." Being the last day before the penitential season of Lent, related popular practices, such as indulging in food that one sacrifices for the upcoming forty days, are associated with Shrove Tuesday celebrations, before commencing the fasting and religious obligations associated with Lent. The term Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday", referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday.

Get Shrove Tuesday in Lua How can I get the date of Shrove Tuesday (12/02/2013, 04/03/2014, 17/02/2015, etc.) in Lua from a supplied year? If possible, could it be explained clearly so that it can be adapted for Easter, Mother's Day, and other holidays that change each year? There are scripts available online that get Easter, but they're not explained very clearly and I don't understand how I can change them for Shrove Tuesday and other holidays. 图片: 图片: 图片: 答 根据维基百科，忏悔星期二是在复活节之前，整整47天。 所以，关键是真的只是如何计算复活节，一席流动的盛宴。 您可以修改代码来计算E .。 。 How can I get the date of Shrove Tuesday (12/02/2013, 04/03/2014, 17/02/2015, etc.) in Lua from a supplied year?

If possible, could it be explained clearly so that it can be adapted for Easter, Mother's Day, and other holidays that change each year? There are scripts available online that get Easter, but they're not explained very clearly and I don't understand how I can change them for Shrove Tuesday and other holidays. 图片: 图片: 图片: 答 According to Wikipedia, Shrove Tuesday is exactly 47 days before Easter Sunday. So the key is really just how to calculate Easter Day, a movable feast. You can modify the code to calculate E... Shrove Tuesday History It is probably impossible to know when the tradition of marking the start of Lent began. Ælfric of Eynsham's "Ecclesiastical Institutes" of about A.D. 1000 includes: "In the week immediately before Lent everyone shall go to his confessor and confess his deeds and the confessor shall so shrive him as he then may hear by his deeds what he is to do [in the way of penance]". Some suggest that the Pancake Tuesday was originally a pagan holiday.

Before the Christian era, the Slavs believed that the change of seasons was a struggle between Jarilo, the god of vegetation, fertility and springtime, and the evil spirits of cold and darkness. People believed that they had to help Jarilo fight against winter and bring in the spring. The most important part of Maslenitsa week (the whole celebration of the arrival of spring lasted one week) was making and eating pancakes. The hot, round pancakes symbolized the sun. The Slavs believed that by eating pancakes, they got the power, light and warmth of the sun. The first pancake was usually put on a window for the spirits of the ancestors. On the last day of Maslenitsa week some pancakes and other food were burnt in a bonfire as a sacrifice to the pagan gods. Shrove Tuesday Terminology The word shrove is a form of the English word shrive, which means to obtain absolution for one's sins by way of Confession and doing penance. Thus Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the custom for Christians to be "shriven" before the start of Lent. Shrove Tuesday is the last day of "shrovetide", somewhat analogous to the Carnival tradition that developed separately in countries of Latin Europe.

In the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and Canada, Shrove Tuesday is known as "Pancake Day" or "Pancake Tuesday" due to the tradition of eating pancakes on the day. Catholic and Protestant countries (outside those mentioned above) traditionally call the day before Ash Wednesday "Fat Tuesday" or "Mardi Gras". The name predated the Reformation and referred to the common Christian tradition of eating special rich foods before the fasting season of Lent. For German American populations, such as Pennsylvania Dutch Country, it is known as Fastnacht Day (also spelled Fasnacht, Fausnacht, Fauschnaut, or Fosnacht). In Germany it is known as Fastnachtsdienstag (also spelled Faschingsdienstag, or Karnevalsdienstag) or Veilchendienstag (violet [the flower] Tuesday). It is often celebrated with street processions (called Karnevalsumzüge) or fancy dress. The processions are typically smaller than the ones on Rosenmontag. In Kindergartens and most Elementary Schools it is celebrated with fancy dress.

When celebrated in schools, it is normally handled as a kind of half-holiday: classes are off and the school day begins some hours later. In the Netherlands it is known as "vastenavond", or in Limburgish dialect: "vastelaovond", though the word "vastelaovond" usually refers to the entire period of carnival in the Netherlands. In Portuguese-, Spanish- and Italian-speaking countries, among others, it is known as Carnival (to use the English spelling). This derives from the Latin carnivale ("farewell to the flesh") and thus to another aspect of the Lenten fast. It is often celebrated with street processions or fancy dress. The most famous of these events is the Brazilian Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, while the Venetians celebrate carnival with a masquerade. The use of the term "carnival" in other contexts derives from here. In Spain, the Carnival Tuesday is named "día de la tortilla" ("omelette day"): an omelette made with some sausage or pork fat is eaten.

On the Portuguese island of Madeira they eat malasadas on Terça-feira Gorda (Fat Tuesday in English) which is also the last day of the Carnival of Madeira. The reason for making malasadas was to use up all the lard and sugar in the house, in preparation for Lent (much in the same way the tradition of Pancake Day in the UK originated on Shrove Tuesday). malasadas are sold alongside the Carnival of Madeira. This tradition was taken to Hawaii, where Shrove Tuesday is known as Malasada Day, which dates back to the days of the sugar plantations of the 1800s, the resident Catholic Portuguese (mostly from Madeira and the Azores) workers used up butter and sugar prior to Lent by making large batches of malasadas. In Denmark and Norway the day is known as Fastelavn and is marked by eating fastelavnsboller. Fastelavn is the name for Carnival in Denmark which is either the Sunday or Monday before Ash Wednesday. Fastelavn developed from the Roman Catholic tradition of celebrating in the days before Lent, but after Denmark became a Protestant nation, the holiday became less specifically religious.

This holiday occurs seven weeks before Easter Sunday, with children dressing up in costumes and gathering treats for the Fastelavn feast. The holiday is generally considered to be a time for children's fun and family games. (see Carnival in Denmark) In Iceland the day is known as Sprengidagur (Bursting Day) and is marked by eating salted meat and peas. In Lithuania the day is called Užgavėnės. People eat pancakes (blynai) and Lithuanian-style doughnuts called spurgos. In Sweden the day is called Fettisdagen (Fat Tuesday) and is generally celebrated by eating a type of pastry called semla. In Finland the day is called laskiainen and is generally celebrated by eating green pea soup and a pastry called laskiaispulla (sweet bread filled with whipped cream and jam or almond paste). The celebration often includes sledging. In Estonia the day is called Vastlapäev and is generally celebrated by eating pea soup and whipped-cream or whipped-cream and jam filled sweet-buns called vastlakukkel. Children also typically go sledding on this day.

In Poland, a related celebration falls on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday and is called tłusty czwartek (Fat Thursday). In Slovenia Kurentovanje is also the biggest and best known carnival in Slovenia. There are several more local carnivals: for example in west Slovenia, a very well known carnival takes place in Cerkno. This carnival is usually referred to as Laufarija. In some parts of Switzerland (e.g. Lucerne) the day is called Güdisdienstag, preceded by Güdismontag. According to the Duden (semi-official dictionary of the German language), the term derives from "Güdel", which means a fat stomach full of food. In some areas of the United States with large Polish communities, such as Chicago, Buffalo and Michigan, Pączki Day is celebrated with pączki-eating contests, music and other Polish food. It may be held on Shrove Tuesday or in the days immediately preceding it. In Hungary and the Hungarian-speaking territories it is called Húshagyókedd (literally the Tuesday leaving the meat) and in certain more traditional regions it is celebrated by dressing up in home-made costumes, especially kids, and visiting the neighbours.

Shrove Tuesday Traditions Pancakes are associated with the day preceding Lent because they were a way to use up rich foods such as eggs, milk, and sugar, before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent. The liturgical fasting emphasized eating plainer food and refraining from food that would give pleasure: in many cultures, this means no meat, dairy products, or eggs. In Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and Ireland the day is also known as "Pancake Day" as it is a common custom to eat pancakes as a meal. In Newfoundland and Cape Breton Island small tokens are frequently cooked in the pancakes. Children take delight in discovering the objects, which are intended to be divinatory. For example, the person who receives a coin will be wealthy; a nail indicates that they will become or marry a carpenter. Festivities In England, as part of community celebration, many towns held traditional Shrove Tuesday "mob football" games, some dating as far back as the 12th century. The practice mostly died out in the 19th century after the passing of the Highway Act 1835 which banned playing football on public highways.

A number of towns have maintained the tradition, including Alnwick in Northumberland, Ashbourne in Derbyshire (called the Royal Shrovetide Football), Atherstone in Warwickshire (called simply the Atherstone Ball Game), St Columb Major in Cornwall (called Hurling the Silver Ball), and Sedgefield in County Durham. Shrove Tuesday was once known as a "half-holiday" in Britain. It started at 11:00am with the ringing of a church bell. On Pancake Day, "pancake races" are held in villages and towns across the United Kingdom. The tradition is said to have originated in 1445 when a housewife from Olney, Buckinghamshire, was so busy making pancakes that she forgot the time until she heard the church bells ringing for the service. She raced out of the house to church while still carrying her frying pan and pancake, tossing it to prevent it from burning. The pancake race remains a relatively common festive tradition in the UK, especially England, even today. Participants with frying pans race through the streets tossing pancakes into the air and catching them in the pan while running.

The most famous pancake race, at Olney in Buckinghamshire, has been held since 1445. The contestants, traditionally women, carry a frying pan and race over a 415-yard course to the finishing line. The rules are strict: contestants have to toss their pancake at both the start and the finish, as well as wear an apron and a scarf. Traditionally, when men want to participate, they must dress up as a housewife (usually an apron and a bandanna). The race is followed by a church service. Since 1950 the people of Liberal, Kansas, and Olney have held the "International Pancake Day" race between the two towns. The two towns' competitors race along an agreed-upon measured course. The times of the two towns' competitors are compared to determine a winner overall. After the 2009 race, Liberal was leading with 34 wins to Olney's 25. A similar race is held in North Somercotes in Lincolnshire, England. Scarborough celebrates by closing the foreshore to all traffic, closing schools early, and inviting all to skip. Traditionally, long ropes were used from the nearby harbour.

The town crier rings the pancake bell, situated on the corner of Westborough (main street) and Huntress Row. The children of the hamlet of Whitechapel, Lancashire keep alive a local tradition by visiting local households and asking "please a pancake", to be rewarded with oranges or sweets. It is thought the tradition arose when farm workers visited the wealthier farm and manor owners to ask for pancakes or pancake fillings. In Finland and Sweden the day is associated with the almond paste-filled semla pastry. Pancakes are traditional in Christian festivals in Ukraine and Russia also at this time of year (Maslenitsa). In London, the Rehab Parliamentary Pancake Race takes place every Shrove Tuesday, with teams from the British lower house (the House of Commons), the upper house (the House of Lords), and the Fourth Estate, contending for the title of Parliamentary Pancake Race Champions. The fun relay race is to raise awareness of Rehab, which provides a range of health and social care, training, education, and employment services in the UK for disabled people and others who are marginalised. In 2009 the Upper House won.

The race was then won by the Lower House in 2010 with the Upper House reclaiming their winning title in 2011. In 2012, the Lower House were crowned the pancake flipping champions and they retained their title for the second year running in 2013. The House of Lords won it back in 2014. However, at long last in 2015 the Media team finally won the title. Shrove Tuesday References ^ Melitta Weiss Adamson, Francine Segan (2008). Entertaining from Ancient Rome to the Super Bowl. ABC-CLIO. In Anglican countries, Mardis Gras is known as Shrove Tuesday-from shrive meaning "confess"-or Pancake Tuesday"-after the breakfast food that symbolizes one final hearty meal of eggs, butter, and sugar before the fast. On Ash Wednesday, the morning after Mardi Gras, repentant Christians return to church to receive upon the forehead the sign of the cross in ashes.

^ Shrove Tuesday inspires unique church traditions KATIE WALKER 7 March 2011 ^ Shrove Tuesday DARREN PROVINE 1 March 2014 ^ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Shrovetide". Retrieved 1 August 2015. ^ Елена Петрова. "Shrovetide (Pancake Week)". ypmuseum.ru. Retrieved 17 February 2015. ^ "Shrovetide. Maslenitca. Komoeditsy. Carnival - Slavic Souvenirs Blog. Traditions and mythology of the Slavs. Slavic souvenir shop". slavicsouvenirs.com. Retrieved 17 February 2015. ^ Marena and waking the bear at Maslenitsa ^ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Shrovetide". Retrieved 2 October 2014. ^ Carnival 2012: Europe Bids 'Farewell to the Flesh' International Business Times, 21 February 2012.

^ Archived 16 February 2015 at the Wayback Machine ^ "Shrove Tuesday – Pancake Day!". Irish Culture and Customs. Retrieved 17 November 2006. ^ "Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) in the UK". British Embassy, Washington DC. Archived from the original on 23 February 2007. Retrieved 17 November 2006. ^ "Easter in Australia". The Australian Government Culture and Recreation Portal. Retrieved 17 November 2006. ^ "Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage". Retrieved 8 March 2011. ^ "Its Shrove Tuesday and Pancake Day". Cape Breton Post. ^ "Cooks Guide". Cooks Guide. Retrieved 28 February 2014. ^ a b "The origin of pancake racing". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 28 February 2014. ^ "Olney Pancake Race". ukstudentlife.com. Retrieved 17 February 2015.

^ 2007 Archived 23 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine ^ "Liberal wins 60th Int'l Pancake race". United Press International (UPI). Retrieved 30 April 2011. ^ (7 February 2008), "Pancake traditions in village", Longridge News, accessed 16 June 2010 ^ "Mardi Gras Dates". Nutrias.org. 30 January 2009. Retrieved 28 February 2014. Carnival/Shrove Tuesday Follow us on facebook: Carnival/Shrove Tuesday Shrove Tuesday is the last day before the long fast for the Lent period in many Christian churches. The day is the day before Ash Wednesday and usually falls between February 3 and March 9. It has many names, including Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, the Tuesday of Carnival, and Pancake Day. Colorful masks, elaborate costumes, parades and large crowds are all part of the Carnival festivities, also known as Mardi Gras, on Shrove Tuesday.

Colorful masks, elaborate costumes, parades and large crowds are all part of the Carnival festivities, also known as Mardi Gras, on Shrove Tuesday. ©iStockphoto.com/Michael Funk What Do People Do? Shrove Tuesday is observed in many ways worldwide. It is known as Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, in countries such as France and the United States. No matter what its name is, the day before Ash Wednesday has long been a time for eating and merry making. The world's longest Carnival celebration is in Brazil but many regions have popular events on the day. The Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans is typical of the masquerades and dancing in the streets that take place in many countries on this day as people prepare for the long Lenten fast. Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) festivities are particularly colorful in French cities such as Cannes, Grasse, and Nice. Celebrations feature grand parades of flower covered floats with giant figures. People are dressed in costumes and confetti is thrown as an expression of merriment or joy. A grotesque effigy that represents evil is burned at the end of the day.

It is also traditional in many parts of France to eat a large meal that includes crepes or waffles. Some people in the United Kingdom celebrate the day, known as Pancake Day, with games and races that involve tossing pancakes in the air. People in some parts of northern Sweden eat a meat stew on Shrove Tuesday, while those in the south eat “Shrove Tuesday buns” called semlor, which are filled with almond paste and topped with whipped cream. This day is known as Carnival Tuesday in places such as Trinidad and Tobago where many people plan the event well ahead of time. Musical competitions, elaborate costumes and specific characters dedicated to Carnival are some of the major highlights of this annual event. Many people in Haiti see the day as the biggest celebration of the year. Music, food and cultural shows are all part of the day. Shrove Tuesday in Lithuania is a folk celebration to rejoice end of winter. During this celebration attention is concentrated on chasing away winter with all its “evils”. It is also observed in other European countries such as the Czech Republic, Shrovetide processions are still part of folklore celebrations.

Children in countries such as Estonia and Finland enjoy the day outdoors on Shrove Tuesday, mainly engaging in activities such as sledding. A typical Finnish meal on this day may include pea soup and blini, or rich pancakes, served with caviar and Smetana, a kind of sour milk. Public Life Shrove Tuesday, or Carnival Tuesday, is a public holiday in places such as Haiti, Liechtenstein (although the date differs), Panama, Portugal, and Venezuela. It is a holiday that may be restricted to government and/or bank employees, as well as some businesses, in places such as Angola, Dominica, Ecuador, and Trinidad and Tobago. It is an optional day off without pay in Brazil and it is not an official public holiday in French Guiana but it is a customary day off for workers. It is a public holiday in some parts of the United States , but not in the United Kingdom , Canada or Australia although there are many festivities related to this holiday on the day. Background The name Shrove Tuesday is derived from the Christian custom of confessing sins and being absolved just before Lent. Shrove Tuesday was traditionally a time to use up all the milk, butter and eggs left in the kitchen.

These ingredients were often used to make pancakes, which is why the English call it Pancake Day. In early England, people were supposed to go to their confessors the week prior to Lent and confess their sins. Carnival Tuesday’s origins may be traced back to a time when restrictions regarding food and entertainment were made during the 40 days of Lent, which commemorates the Passion of Jesus Christ. It was common for people to host large festivities as the last possible opportunity before fasting. During times in history when slavery was more prevalent, particularly in areas such as Haiti, slave masters continued to celebrate Carnival. The slaves could not participate in the same manner because they were not free. After gaining their independence, many of them took advantage of their freedom by celebrating Carnival for the first time. The celebrations featured beautiful clothing, festive music, and cultural shows Symbols Carnival Tuesday is often characterized by masks, music and colorful floats on parade for various festivities organized for the day. Trinkets are popular in some parts of the world, while King Cakes symbolize the event in places such as New Orleans. Pancake Tuesday is symbolized by pancakes, which are made from ingredients traditionally restricted during Lent, such as eggs and milk.

Note: Timeanddate.com has tried to get different perspectives on the day before Ash Wednesday but it does not cover all customs, events, traditions and historical facts relating to this holiday. This article serves to provide general information only. Advertising Carnival/Shrove Tuesday in Canada Home Calendar Holidays Canada Carnival/Shrove Tuesday Carnival/Shrove Tuesday in Canada Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Tuesday, is the last day before the long fast for Lent for some Christians in Canada. It often coincides with or falls close to the dates for the winter carnival celebrations that occur in the January/February period. Colorful costumes, masquerades and entertainment are part of the Quebec Winter Carnival in Canada. Colorful costumes, masquerades and entertainment are part of the Quebec Winter Carnival in Canada. ©iStockphoto.com/Eline Spek What Do People Do? Shrove Tuesday is also known as Pancake Day in some parts of Canada. Pancakes are traditionally eaten on this day and are sometimes served with maple syrup. Carnivals or Mardi Gras festivals are also held around this time of the year. These celebrations have been held in cities such as Winnipeg and Québec over the years.

The Québec Winter Carnival is a major annual event in Canada that spans for about two weeks, although the dates may vary from year to year. It does not always fall on the same date as Shrove Tuesday but it is usually held in the January/February period. Popular events during the celebrations include winter sports, snow sculptures, and activities based on the traditional Québec lifestyle, such as canoe races and dogsled races. Public Life Mardi Gras is not a statutory holiday in Canada but it is celebrated in some regions such as Québec, where crowds are expected. Planning may be required for transportation and parking when festivals associated with the event take place. Background The tradition of getting together just before Lent to eat, drink and be merry dates back to the start of the French colony in Canada. This period of revelry, which occurs in January and/or February, has traditionally popular. Québec City’s first winter carnival took place in 1894. The carnival was held sporadically during the later years due to interruptions from wars and the economic crisis of 1929. However, the carnival festivities were launched again, with the first official Québec Winter Carnival taking place in 1955.

Symbols Bonhomme, a large snowman with a red cap and an arrow sash, is an important symbol associated with the Québec Winter Carnival. The arrow sash, inspired by North America’s indigenous culture, was used in the 19th century to tie jackets at the waist to prevent the cold from creeping in. The belt and the red hat, linked directly to Québec folklore, are the primary elements of Bonhomme's outfit. Shrove Tuesday Shrove Tuesday February 17, 2015 Shrove Tuesday (known in some countries as Pancake Day) is a day in February or March, preceding Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent), which is celebrated in some countries by consuming pancakes. Shrove Tuesday, a moveable festival, is determined by Easter. The expression "Shrove Tuesday" comes from the word shrive, meaning "confess".

Shrove Tuesday is observed by many Christians, including Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists and Roman Catholics, who "make a special point of self-examination, of considering what wrongs they need to repent, and what amendments of life or areas of spiritual growth they especially need to ask God's help in dealing with." Being the last day before the penitential season of Lent, related popular practices, such as indulging in food that one sacrifices for the upcoming forty days, are associated with Shrove Tuesday celebrations, before commencing the fasting and religious obligations associated with Lent. The term Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday", referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday. History Like many other European holidays, the pancake day was originally a pagan holiday. Before the Christian era, the Slavs believed that the change of seasons was a struggle between Jarilo, the god of vegetation, fertility and springtime, and the evil spirits of cold and darkness. People believed that they had to help Jarilo fight against winter and bring in the spring.

The most important part of Shrovetide week (the whole celebration of the arrival of spring lasted one week) was making and eating pancakes. The hot, round pancakes symbolized the sun. The Slavs believed that by eating pancakes, they got the power, light and warmth of the sun. The first pancake was usually put on a window for the spirits of the ancestors. On the last day of Shrovetide week some pancakes and other food were burnt in a bonfire as a sacrifice to the pagan gods. Terminology The word shrove is a form of the English word shrive, which means to obtain absolution for one's sins by way of Confession and doing penance. Thus Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the custom for Christians to be "shriven" before the start of Lent. Shrove Tuesday is the last day of "shrovetide", somewhat analogous to the Carnival tradition that developed separately in countries of Latin Europe. In the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and Canada, Shrove Tuesday is known as "Pancake Day" or "Pancake Tuesday" due to the tradition of eating pancakes on the day.

Catholic and Protestant countries (outside those mentioned above) traditionally call the day before Ash Wednesday "Fat Tuesday" or "Mardi Gras". The name predated the Reformation and referred to the common Christian tradition of eating special rich foods before the fasting season of Lent. For German American populations, such as Pennsylvania Dutch Country, it is known as Fastnacht Day (also spelled Fasnacht, Fausnacht, Fauschnaut, or Fosnacht). In the Netherlands it is known as "vastenavond", or in Limburgish dialect: "vastelaovond", though the word "vastelaovond" usually refers to the entire period of carnival in the Netherlands. In Portuguese-, Spanish- and Italian-speaking countries, among others, it is known as Carnival (to use the English spelling). This derives from the words carne levare (to take away meat) and thus to another aspect of the Lenten fast. It is often celebrated with street processions or fancy dress. The most famous of these events is the Brazilian Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, while the Venetians celebrate carnival with a masquerade. The use of the term "carnival" in other contexts derives from here.

On the Portuguese island of Madeira they eat malasadas on Terï¿½a-feira Gorda (Fat Tuesday in English) which is also the last day of the Carnival of Madeira. The reason for making malasadas was to use up all the lard and sugar in the house, in preparation for Lent (much in the same way the tradition of Pancake Day in the UK originated on Shrove Tuesday). malasadas are sold alongside the Carnival of Madeira. This tradition was taken to Hawaii, where Shrove Tuesday is known as Malasada Day, which dates back to the days of the sugar plantations of the 1800s, the resident Catholic Portuguese (mostly from Madeira and the Azores) workers used up butter and sugar prior to Lent by making large batches of malasadas. In Denmark and Norway the day is known as Fastelavn and is marked by eating fastelavnsboller. Fastelavn is the name for Carnival in Denmark which is either the Sunday or Monday before Ash Wednesday. Fastelavn developed from the Roman Catholic tradition of celebrating in the days before Lent, but after Denmark became a Protestant nation, the holiday became less specifically religious.

This holiday occurs seven weeks before Easter Sunday, with children dressing up in costumes and gathering treats for the Fastelavn feast. The holiday is generally considered to be a time for children's fun and family games. In Iceland the day is known as Sprengidagur (Bursting Day) and is marked by eating salted meat and peas. In Lithuania the day is called Užgavėnės. People eat pancakes (blynai) and Lithuanian-style doughnuts called spurgos. In Sweden the day is called Fettisdagen (Fat Tuesday) and is generally celebrated by eating a type of pastry called semla. In Finland the day is called laskiainen and is generally celebrated by eating green pea soup and a pastry called laskiaispulla (sweet bread filled with whipped cream and jam or almond paste). The celebration often includes sledging. In Estonia the day is called Vastlapï¿½ev and is generally celebrated by eating pea soup and whipped-cream or whipped-cream and jam filled sweet-buns called vastlakukkel. Children also typically go sledding on this day.

In Poland, a related celebration falls on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday and is called tłusty czwartek (Fat Thursday). In Slovenia Kurentovanje is also the biggest and best known carnival in Slovenia. There are several more local carnivals: for example in west Slovenia, a very well known carnival takes place in Cerkno. This carnival is usually referred to as Laufarija. In some parts of Switzerland (e.g. Lucerne) the day is called Gï¿½disdienstag, preceded by Gï¿½dismontag. According to the Duden (semi-official dictionary of the German language), the term derives from "Gï¿½del", which means a fat stomach full of food. In some areas of the United States with large Polish communities, such as Chicago, Buffalo and Michigan, Paczki Day is celebrated with pączki-eating contests, music and other Polish food. It may be held on Shrove Tuesday or in the days immediately preceding it. Traditions Pancakes are associated with the day preceding Lent because they were a way to use up rich foods such as eggs, milk, and sugar, before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent.

The liturgical fasting emphasized eating plainer food and refraining from food that would give pleasure: in many cultures, this means no meat, dairy products, or eggs. In Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and Ireland the day is also known as "Pancake Day" as it is a common custom to eat pancakes as a meal. In Newfoundland and Cape Breton Island small tokens are frequently cooked in the pancakes. Children take delight in discovering the objects, which are intended to be divinatory. For example, the person who receives a coin will be wealthy; a nail indicates that they will become or marry a carpenter. Festivities In England, as part of community celebration, many towns held traditional Shrove Tuesday "mob football" games, some dating as far back as the 12th century. The practice mostly died out in the 19th century after the passing of the Highway Act 1835 which banned playing football on public highways.

A number of towns have maintained the tradition, including Alnwick in Northumberland, Ashbourne in Derbyshire (called the Royal Shrovetide Football), Atherstone in Warwickshire (called simply the Atherstone Ball Game), St Columb Major in Cornwall (called Hurling the Silver Ball), and Sedgefield in County Durham. Shrove Tuesday was once known as a "half-holiday" in Britain. It started at 11:00am with the ringing of a church bell. On Pancake Day, "pancake races" are held in villages and towns across the United Kingdom. The tradition is said to have originated in 1445 when a housewife from Olney, Buckinghamshire, was so busy making pancakes that she forgot the time until she heard the church bells ringing for the service. She raced out of the house to church while still carrying her frying pan and pancake, tossing it to prevent it from burning. The pancake race remains a relatively common festive tradition in the UK, especially England, even today. Participants with frying pans race through the streets tossing pancakes into the air and catching them in the pan while running.

The most famous pancake race, at Olney in Buckinghamshire, has been held since 1445. The contestants, traditionally women, carry a frying pan and race over a 415 yard course to the finishing line. The rules are strict: contestants have to toss their pancake at both the start and the finish, as well as wear an apron and a scarf. Traditionally, when men want to participate, they must dress up as a housewife (usually an apron and a bandanna). The race is followed by a church service.[15] Since 1950 the people of Liberal, Kansas, and Olney have held the "International Pancake Day" race between the two towns. The two towns' competitors race along an agreed-upon measured course. The times of the two towns' competitors are compared to determine a winner overall. After the 2009 race, Liberal was leading with 34 wins to Olney's 25. A similar race is held in North Somercotes in Lincolnshire, England. Scarborough celebrates by closing the foreshore to all traffic, closing schools early, and inviting all to skip. Traditionally, long ropes were used from the nearby harbour.

The town crier rings the pancake bell, situated on the corner of Westborough (main street) and Huntress Row. The children of the hamlet of Whitechapel, Lancashire keep alive a local tradition by visiting local households and asking "please a pancake", to be rewarded with oranges or sweets. It is thought the tradition arose when farm workers visited the wealthier farm and manor owners to ask for pancakes or pancake fillings. In Finland and Sweden the day is associated with the almond paste-filled semla pastry. Pancakes are traditional in Christian festivals in Ukraine and Russia also at this time of year (Maslenitsa). In London, the Rehab Parliamentary Pancake Race takes place every Shrove Tuesday, with teams from the British lower house (the House of Commons), the upper house (the House of Lords), and the Fourth Estate, contending for the title of Parliamentary Pancake Race Champions. The fun relay race is to raise awareness of Rehab, which provides a range of health and social care, training, education, and employment services in the UK for disabled people and others who are marginalised. In 2009 the Upper House won.

The race was then won by the Lower House in 2010 with the Upper House reclaiming their winning title in 2011. In 2012, the Lower House were crowned the pancake flipping champions and they reclaimed their title for the second year running in 2013. Shrove Tuesday (Pepys' Diary) Shrove Tuesday This text was copied from Wikipedia on 20 January 2017 at 3:22AM. Shrove Tuesday Followers of many Christian denominations and common custom Type In seventh week before Easter , day before Ash Wednesday Frequency Mardi Gras Shrove Tuesday (known in Commonwealth countries as Pancake Tuesday or Pancake day) is a day in February or March preceding Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent ), which is celebrated in some countries by consuming pancakes . In others, especially those where it is called Mardi Gras or some translation thereof, this is a carnival day, and also the last day of "fat eating" or "gorging" before the fasting period of Lent. This moveable feast is determined by Easter . The expression "Shrove Tuesday" comes from the word shrive , meaning " absolve ".

[1] Shrove Tuesday is observed by many Christians, including Anglicans , Lutherans , Methodists and Roman Catholics , [2] who "make a special point of self-examination, of considering what wrongs they need to repent, and what amendments of life or areas of spiritual growth they especially need to ask God's help in dealing with." [3] Being the last day of the liturgical season historically known as Shrovetide , before the penitential season of Lent , related popular practices, such as indulging in food that one sacrifices for the upcoming forty days, are associated with Shrove Tuesday celebrations, before commencing the fasting and religious obligations associated with Lent. The term Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday", referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday . Contents 7 External links History It is probably impossible to know when the tradition of marking the start of Lent began. Ælfric of Eynsham 's "Ecclesiastical Institutes" of about A.D.

1000 includes: "In the week immediately before Lent everyone shall go to his confessor and confess his deeds and the confessor shall so shrive him as he then may hear by his deeds what he is to do [in the way of penance]". [4] Some suggest that the Pancake Tuesday was originally a pagan holiday. [5] Before the Christian era, ancient Slavs believed that the change of seasons was a struggle between Jarilo , the god of vegetation, fertility and springtime, and the evil spirits of cold and darkness. People believed that they had to help Jarilo fight against winter and bring in the spring. The most important part of Maslenitsa week (the whole celebration of the arrival of spring lasted one week) was making and eating pancakes. The hot, round pancakes symbolized the sun. Ancient Slavs also believed that by eating pancakes, they got the power, light and warmth of the sun. The first pancake was usually put on a window for the spirits of the ancestors. [6] On the last day of Maslenitsa week some pancakes and other food were burnt in a bonfire as a sacrifice to the pagan gods.

[7] Terminology Shrove Tuesday, Bear guiding in Poland (1950) The word shrove is a form of the English word shrive , which means to obtain absolution for one's sins by way of Confession and doing penance . Thus Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the custom for Christians to be "shriven" before the start of Lent. [8] Shrove Tuesday is the last day of "shrovetide", somewhat analogous to the Carnival tradition that developed separately in countries of Latin Europe . In the United Kingdom , Ireland , Australia and Canada , Shrove Tuesday is alternatively known as "Pancake Day" or "Pancake Tuesday" due to the tradition of eating pancakes on the day. Catholic and Protestant countries (outside those mentioned above) traditionally call the day before Ash Wednesday "Fat Tuesday" or " Mardi Gras ". The name predated the Reformation and referred to the common Christian tradition of eating special rich foods before the fasting season of Lent. For German American populations, such as Pennsylvania Dutch Country , it is known as Fastnacht Day (also spelled Fasnacht, Fausnacht, Fauschnaut, or Fosnacht).

In Germany it is known as Fastnachtsdienstag (also spelled Faschingsdienstag, or Karnevalsdienstag) or Veilchendienstag (violet [the flower] Tuesday). It is often celebrated with street processions (called Karnevalsumzüge) or fancy dress. The processions are typically smaller than the ones on Rosenmontag . In Kindergartens and most Elementary Schools it is celebrated with fancy dress. When celebrated in schools, it is normally handled as a kind of half-holiday: classes are off and the school day begins some hours later. In the Netherlands it is known as "vastenavond", or in Limburgish dialect : "vastelaovond", though the word "vastelaovond" usually refers to the entire period of carnival in the Netherlands . In Portuguese -, Spanish - and Italian -speaking countries, among others, it is known as Carnival (to use the English spelling). This derives from Medieval Latin carnelevamen ("the putting away of flesh") [9] and thus to another aspect of the Lenten fast. It is often celebrated with street processions or fancy dress.

The most famous of these events is the Brazilian Carnival in Rio de Janeiro , while the Venetians celebrate carnival with a masquerade . The use of the term "carnival" in other contexts derives from here. In Spain, the Carnival Tuesday is named "día de la tortilla" ("omelette day"): an omelette made with some sausage or pork fat is eaten. On the Portuguese island of Madeira they eat malasadas on Terça-feira Gorda (Fat Tuesday in English) which is also the last day of the Carnival of Madeira . The reason for making malasadas was to use up all the lard and sugar in the house, in preparation for Lent (much in the same way the tradition of Pancake Day in the UK originated on Shrove Tuesday). malasadas are sold alongside the Carnival of Madeira. This tradition was taken to Hawaii , where Shrove Tuesday is known as Malasada Day, which dates back to the days of the sugar plantations of the 1800s, the resident Catholic Portuguese (mostly from Madeira and the Azores ) workers used up butter and sugar prior to Lent by making large batches of malasadas.

In Denmark and Norway the day is known as Fastelavn and is marked by eating fastelavnsboller. Fastelavn is the name for Carnival in Denmark which is either the Sunday or Monday before Ash Wednesday. Fastelavn developed from the Roman Catholic tradition of celebrating in the days before Lent, but after Denmark became a Protestant nation, the holiday became less specifically religious. This holiday occurs seven weeks before Easter Sunday, with children dressing up in costumes and gathering treats for the Fastelavn feast. The holiday is generally considered to be a time for children's fun and family games. (see Carnival in Denmark ) In Iceland the day is known as Sprengidagur (Bursting Day) and is marked by eating salted meat and peas. In Lithuania the day is called Užgavėnės . People eat pancakes (blynai) and Lithuanian-style doughnuts called spurgos. In Sweden the day is called Fettisdagen (Fat Tuesday) and is generally celebrated by eating a type of pastry called semla .

In Finland the day is called laskiainen and is generally celebrated by eating green pea soup and a pastry called laskiaispulla (sweet bread filled with whipped cream and jam or almond paste). The celebration often includes sledging. In Estonia the day is called Vastlapäev and is generally celebrated by eating pea soup and whipped-cream or whipped-cream and jam filled sweet-buns called vastlakukkel. Children also typically go sledding on this day. In Poland , a related celebration falls on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday and is called tłusty czwartek ( Fat Thursday ). In Slovenia Kurentovanje is also the biggest and best known carnival in Slovenia. There are several more local carnivals: for example in west Slovenia, a very well known carnival takes place in Cerkno . This carnival is usually referred to as Laufarija . In some parts of Switzerland (e.g. Lucerne ) the day is called Güdisdienstag, preceded by Güdismontag. According to the Duden dictionary, the term derives from "Güdel", which means a fat stomach full of food Güdeldienstag.

[10] In some areas of the United States with large Polish communities, such as Chicago , Buffalo and Michigan , Tłusty Czwartek is celebrated with pączki or faworki eating contests, music and other Polish food. It may be held on Shrove Tuesday or in the days immediately preceding it. [11] In Hungary and the Hungarian-speaking territories it is called Húshagyókedd (literally the Tuesday leaving the meat) and in certain more traditional regions it is celebrated by dressing up in home-made costumes, especially kids, and visiting the neighbours. India in Vasai (Bassein) it is known as Hithrooz and is celebrated with drinks and home cooked meat recipes. Traditions Pancakes are associated with the day preceding Lent because they were a way to use up rich foods such as eggs, milk, and sugar, before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent. The liturgical fasting emphasized eating plainer food and refraining from food that would give pleasure: in many cultures, this means no meat, dairy products, or eggs.

In Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and Ireland the day is also known as "Pancake Day" as it is a common custom to eat pancakes as a meal. [12] [13] [14] In Newfoundland and Cape Breton Island small tokens are frequently cooked in the pancakes. Children take delight in discovering the objects, which are intended to be divinatory. For example, the person who receives a coin will be wealthy; a nail indicates that they will become or marry a carpenter. [15] [16] Festivities A pancake race in England In England , as part of community celebration, many towns held traditional Shrove Tuesday " mob football " games, some dating as far back as the 12th century. The practice mostly died out in the 19th century after the passing of the Highway Act 1835 which banned playing football on public highways.

A number of towns have maintained the tradition, including Alnwick in Northumberland , Ashbourne in Derbyshire (called the Royal Shrovetide Football ), Atherstone in Warwickshire (called simply the Atherstone Ball Game), St Columb Major in Cornwall (called Hurling the Silver Ball ), and Sedgefield in County Durham . Shrove Tuesday was once known as a "half-holiday" in Britain. It started at 11:00am with the ringing of a church bell. [17] On Pancake Day, "pancake races" are held in villages and towns across the United Kingdom. The tradition is said to have originated in 1445 when a housewife from Olney , Buckinghamshire , was so busy making pancakes that she forgot the time until she heard the church bells ringing for the service. She raced out of the house to church while still carrying her frying pan and pancake, tossing it to prevent it from burning. [18] [19] The pancake race remains a relatively common festive tradition in the UK, especially England , even today. Participants with frying pans race through the streets tossing pancakes into the air and catching them in the pan while running.

The most famous pancake race, [20] at Olney in Buckinghamshire, has been held since 1445. The contestants, traditionally women, carry a frying pan and race over a 415-yard course to the finishing line. The rules are strict: contestants have to toss their pancake at both the start and the finish, as well as wear an apron and a scarf. Traditionally, when men want to participate, they must dress up as a housewife (usually an apron and a bandanna). The race is followed by a church service. [18] Since 1950 the people of Liberal , Kansas , and Olney have held the "International Pancake Day" race between the two towns. The two towns' competitors race along an agreed-upon measured course. The times of the two towns' competitors are compared to determine a winner overall. After the 2009 race, Liberal was leading with 34 wins to Olney's 25. [21] A similar race is held in North Somercotes in Lincolnshire , England. Scarborough celebrates by closing the foreshore to all traffic, closing schools early, and inviting all to skip.

Traditionally, long ropes were used from the nearby harbour. The town crier rings the pancake bell, situated on the corner of Westborough (main street) and Huntress Row. The children of the hamlet of Whitechapel , Lancashire keep alive a local tradition by visiting local households and asking "please a pancake", to be rewarded with oranges or sweets. It is thought the tradition arose when farm workers visited the wealthier farm and manor owners to ask for pancakes or pancake fillings. [22] In Finland and Sweden the day is associated with the almond paste -filled semla pastry. Pancakes are traditional in Christian festivals in Belarus , Ukraine and Russia also at this time of year ( Maslenitsa ). In London, the Rehab Parliamentary Pancake Race takes place every Shrove Tuesday, with teams from the British lower house (the House of Commons ), the upper house (the House of Lords ), and the Fourth Estate , contending for the title of Parliamentary Pancake Race Champions. The fun relay race is to raise awareness of Rehab, which provides a range of health and social care, training, education, and employment services in the UK for disabled people and others who are marginalised.

In 2009 the Upper House won. The race was then won by the Lower House in 2010 with the Upper House reclaiming their winning title in 2011. In 2012, the Lower House were crowned the pancake flipping champions and they retained their title for the second year running in 2013. The House of Lords won it back in 2014. However, at long last in 2015 the Media team finally won the title. Dates Shrove Tuesday is exactly 47 days before Easter Sunday, a moveable feast based on the cycles of the moon . The date can be any between 3 February and 9 March inclusive. Shrove Tuesday occurs on these dates: [23] 2016 – 9 February Carnival/Shrove Tuesday in Canada Carnival/Shrove Tuesday in Canada Quick Facts Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday. It may coincide with the winter carnival season in Canada. Local names List of dates for other years Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Tuesday, is the last day before the long fast for Lent for some Christians in Canada.

It often coincides with or falls close to the dates for the winter carnival celebrations that occur in the January/February period. Colorful costumes, masquerades and entertainment are part of the Quebec Winter Carnival in Canada. ©iStockphoto.com/Eline Spek What do people do? Shrove Tuesday is also known as Pancake Day in some parts of Canada. Pancakes are traditionally eaten on this day and are sometimes served with maple syrup. Carnivals or Mardi Gras festivals are also held around this time of the year. These celebrations have been held in cities such as Winnipeg and Québec over the years. The Québec Winter Carnival is a major annual event in Canada that spans for about two weeks, although the dates may vary from year to year. It does not always fall on the same date as Shrove Tuesday but it is usually held in the January/February period. Popular events during the celebrations include winter sports, snow sculptures, and activities based on the traditional Québec lifestyle, such as canoe races and dogsled races. Public life Mardi Gras is not a statutory holiday in Canada but it is celebrated in some regions such as Québec, where crowds are expected. Planning may be required for transportation and parking when festivals associated with the event take place.

Background The tradition of getting together just before Lent to eat, drink and be merry dates back to the start of the French colony in Canada. This period of revelry, which occurs in January and/or February, has traditionally popular. Québec City’s first winter carnival took place in 1894. The carnival was held sporadically during the later years due to interruptions from wars and the economic crisis of 1929. However, the carnival festivities were launched again, with the first official Québec Winter Carnival taking place in 1955. Symbols Bonhomme, a large snowman with a red cap and an arrow sash, is an important symbol associated with the Québec Winter Carnival. The arrow sash, inspired by North America’s indigenous culture, was used in the 19th century to tie jackets at the waist to prevent the cold from creeping in. The belt and the red hat, linked directly to Québec folklore, are the primary elements of Bonhomme's outfit. About Carnival/Shrove Tuesday in other countries Holidays: Carnival/Shrove Tuesday Current location: Home page > Calendar > Holidays > Carnival/Shrove Tuesday Carnival/Shrove Tuesday Shrove Tuesday is the last day before the long fast for the Lent period in many Christian churches.

The day is the day before Ash Wednesday and usually falls between February 3 and March 9. It has many names, including Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, the Tuesday of Carnival, and Pancake Day. Colorful masks, elaborate costumes, parades and large crowds are all part of the Carnival festivities, also known as Mardi Gras, on Shrove Tuesday. ©iStockphoto.com/Michael Funk What do people do? Shrove Tuesday is observed in many ways worldwide. It is known as Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, in countries such as France and the United States. No matter what its name is, the day before Ash Wednesday has long been a time for eating and merry making. The world's longest Carnival celebration is in Brazil but many regions have popular events on the day. The Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans is typical of the masquerades and dancing in the streets that take place in many countries on this day as people prepare for the long Lenten fast. Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) festivities are particularly colorful in French cities such as Cannes, Grasse, and Nice. Celebrations feature grand parades of flower covered floats with giant figures.

People are dressed in costumes and confetti is thrown as an expression of merriment or joy. A grotesque effigy that represents evil is burned at the end of the day. It is also traditional in many parts of France to eat a large meal that includes crepes or waffles. Some people in the United Kingdom celebrate the day, known as Pancake Day, with games and races that involve tossing pancakes in the air. People in some parts of northern Sweden eat a meat stew on Shrove Tuesday, while those in the south eat “Shrove Tuesday buns” called semlor, which are filled with almost paste and topped with whipped cream. This day is known as Carnival Tuesday in places such as Trinidad and Tobago where many people plan the event well ahead of time. Musical competitions, elaborate costumes and specific characters dedicated to Carnival are some of the major highlights of this annual event. Many people in Haiti see the day as the biggest celebration of the year. Music, food and cultural shows are all part of the day. Shrove Tuesday in Lithuania is a folk celebration to rejoice end of winter. During this celebration attention is concentrated on chasing away winter with all its “evils”.

It is also observed in other European countries such as the Czech Republic, Shrovetide processions are still part of folklore celebrations. Children in countries such as Estonia and Finland enjoy the day outdoors on Shrove Tuesday, mainly engaging in activities such as sledding. A typical Finnish meal on this day may include pea soup and blini, or rich pancakes, served with caviar and Smetana, a kind of sour milk. Public life Shrove Tuesday, or Carnival Tuesday, is a public holiday in places such as Haiti, Liechtenstein (although the date differs), Panama, Portugal, and Venezuela. It is a holiday that may be restricted to government and/or bank employees, as well as some businesses, in places such as Angola, Dominica, Ecuador, and Trinidad and Tobago. It is an optional day off without pay in Brazil and it is not an official public holiday in French Guiana but it is a customary day off for workers. It is a public holiday in some parts of the United States , but not in the United Kingdom , Canada or Australia although there are many festivities related to this holiday on the day. Background The name Shrove Tuesday is derived from the Christian custom of confessing sins and being absolved just before Lent.

Shrove Tuesday was traditionally a time to use up all the milk, butter and eggs left in the kitchen. These ingredients were often used to make pancakes, which is why the English call it Pancake Day. In early England, people were supposed to go to their confessors the week prior to Lent and confess their sins. Carnival Tuesday’s origins may be traced back to a time when restrictions regarding food and entertainment were made during the 40 days of Lent, which commemorates the Passion of Jesus Christ. It was common for people host large festivities as the last possible opportunity before fasting. During times in history when slavery was more prevalent, particularly in areas such as Haiti, slave masters continued to celebrate Carnival. The slaves could not participate in the same manner because they were not free. After gaining their independence, many of them took advantage of their freedom by celebrating Carnival for the first time. The celebrations featured beautiful clothing, festive music, and cultural shows Symbols Carnival Tuesday is often characterized by masks, music and colorful floats on parade for various festivities organized for the day. Trinkets are popular in some parts of the world, while King Cakes are symbolize the event in places such as New Orleans.

Pancake Tuesday is symbolized by pancakes, which are made from ingredients traditionally restricted during Lent, such as eggs and milk. Note: Timeanddate.com has tried to get different perspectives on the day before Ash Wednesday but it does not cover all customs, events, traditions and historical facts relating to this holiday. This article serves to provide general information only. Advertising Holidays: Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras in United States Current location: Home page > Calendar > Holidays > Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras in United States Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras in United States Quick Facts Shrove Tuesday is traditionally known as the day prior to Lent but it also serves as a day of celebration, known as Mardi Gras. Local names See list of observations below Mardi Gras is a holiday in some parts of the United States and often serves as a festive occasion featuring large celebrations. It is also known as Shrove Tuesday, as it is the last day before the long fast for Lent in many Christian churches. Mardi Gras festivals often feature parades and large crowds in the United States. ©iStockphoto.com/EauClaire Media What do people do? Shrove Tuesday is the last day before Lent, a period for fasting.

It is also known as Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, and features large festivals and celebrations across the United States. The Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, in Louisiana, is typical of the masquerades and dancing in the streets that take place in other parts of the United States before the long Lenten fast. Traditional Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans spotlight the King of the Carnival and the Monarch of Merriment, as well as Comus, the God of Revelry. Many people dress up in eye-catching costumes and a spectacular ball is held. Debutantes are introduced at the Ball Tablaeu as a formal introduction to society. People throw trinkets to crowds as part of the customary “parade throw” at New Orleans’ Mardi Gras celebration. During the Bacchus parade, the king's float throws doubloons with the image of the “Celebrity King” on one side of the doubloon (cups and toy coins) to parade watchers. Traditional Mardi Gras food includes the King Cake in which a pecan or charm is hidden. The person who gets a piece of the cake with the charm or nut is dubbed the “king” of that year’s Mardi Gras.

The Mobile and Baldwin counties in Alabama also celebrate Mardi Gras. Parade schedules start as early as January and feature marching bands, colorful floats, and crowds of parade goers along the streets in downtown Mobile. Galveston, in Texas, hosts its own Mardi Gras celebration, which features masked balls, a royal coronation, Cajun dances, jazz performances and parades with floats. Public life Mardi Gras is a state holiday in Louisiana. It is also marked as a holiday in the Baldwin and Mobile counties only in Alabama. Governing authorities of any municipality or county in Mississippi can declare this event as a holiday to replace any legal holiday except Martin Luther King’s Birthday (which is combined with Robert E Lee’s Birthday in the state). Background and Symbols Mardi Gras in the United States was first observed in Mobile when it was a colony of French soldiers in 1703. Mardi Gras was transformed into a parade event in 1840 by the Cowbellion de Rakin Society, the first of Mobile's organizations that journeyed to New Orleans in 1857 to help a group there set up a Mardi Gras celebration.

The first Carnival society, known as the Mistick Kreweof Comus, took part in coordinating the event that year. The event was well received and continued until it was suspended during the American Civil War. Mardi Gras was one of the first local institutions to be revived after the war. It reappeared in 1866 and has continued to grow in modern times. A general article about Shrove Tuesday worldwide covers more information about its background and symbols. About Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras in other countries Fat Tuesday - Dictionary Definition : Vocabulary.com Fat Tuesday Definitions of Fat Tuesday 1 n a carnival held in some countries on Shrove Tuesday (the last day before Lent) but especially in New Orleans Synonyms: a festival marked by merrymaking and processions Word Family Usage Examples Sign up, it's free! Whether you're a student, an educator, or a life-long learner, Vocabulary.com can put you on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.

Question: What is the name of the carnival held in some countries on Shrove Tuesday?
Answer: Mardi Gras