10 Mardi Gras Traditions to Know

Grand balls are thrown by krewes—the social organizations that put together events during Carnival—in a tradition that's more than 150 years old. They're often invitation-only affairs, although some public balls are now available. More than 100 balls take place during Carnival and are usually evenings of formal dress, debutante introductions, and more.

These torch-bearers light the way for parades while providing entertainment through captivating spins and twirls. The tradition dates back to 1857 and is still practiced in Mardi Gras parades today.

The brightly colored king cakes have roots in the biblical story of the three kings bringing gifts to baby Jesus. The treat is somewhere between a coffee cake and a cinnamon roll and is always decorated with the Mardi Gras colors. Hiding inside is a tiny plastic baby. Whoever gets it in their slice has to either bring the cake next time or throw a party.

Vivid shades of green, purple, and gold are displayed throughout any Mardi Gras celebration. They're said to have originated in 1872 by the New Orleans Krewe of Rex and were later made official during a parade called "The Symbolism of Colors." Green is said to stand for faith, purple means justice, and gold represents power.

One of the most recognizable aspects of Mardi Gras is throwing beads. Mardi Gras "throws" is what it's called when parade floats toss beads and trinkets into the crowd. Each krewe throws out something different, including stuffed animals, doubloons (lightweight coins minted especially for Mardi Gras), and even coconuts (they're hollow, hand-painted by the Zulu Krewe, and highly coveted). But beads are usually thrown by all.

Masks were first worn at Mardi Gras celebrations so that wearers could mingle with anyone, regardless of class. Today, the tradition holds strong. Those on floats are actually legally bound to wear masks that conceal their identities.

Each parade is supposed to have a theme, which can be derived from history, children's stories, mythology, entertainment, and more. The floats built by krewes then reflect the theme and range in scale and spectacle.

Just like any New Orleans parade, marching bands come out in droves for Mardi Gras processions. These range from high school, college, military bands, and more and make it impossible for onlookers to not dance along.

This tradition began when African Americans, who were once kept out of many mainstream krewes, began throwing parades of their own. The outfit is a nod to the Native Americans who helped protect enslaved people running for freedom.

You might find colorfully decorated ladders throughout a Mardi Gras parade route. While it's become a tradition, it's rooted in practicality: They help kids see the parade, too.