Mardi Gras Colors
Ash Wednesday is approaching, and as always, this season of introspection is preceded by the revels of Mardi Gras! As you encounter the purple, green, and gold of Mardi Gras in the coming days, we thought you’d like to know a bit about where those colors came from, and how your family can connect to their history.
New Orleans has been draped in purple, green, and gold since 1872, and prominent local historian Errol Flynn Laborde (no relation to the actor, for the curious) came up with a theory about why. He believes that the founders of the Rex krewe – the producers of the yearly parade – wanted to invoke the idea of a Mardi Gras kingdom. A kingdom needs a flag, and the flags of the U.S., Great Britain, and France (among other nations) all have three-color flags.
How were the three colors selected? Laborde believes the inspiration was heraldry rules, which govern coats of arms. These rules require the use of specific colors (purple, green, red, blue, and black) and metals (silver and gold). Both gold and purple are associated with royalty, so their selection makes sense; green remains a mystery. Another mystery is how the decision was made that purple would represent justice; green, faith; and gold, power. These meanings have been in place since 1892, and it would seem that the Rex krewe just...decided! If you’re intrigued, you can read more here.
The image of a three-color coat of arms is a powerful one, and your family can create your own! First, choose your colors. Follow the heraldry rules and select three from the list of colors and metals. Decide what those colors mean to you – maybe you select red because you’re passionate, or blue because you’re imaginative. Remember, there’s no right answer – if you can justify it, it’s the right choice for you!
Use your family colors and this template to create your coat of arms. Choose a few symbols to draw in your chosen colors – the things that mean the most to you (animals, travel, faith...brainstorm a bunch of ideas together and narrow it down from there!). Underneath your coat of arms, you can add a motto that represents your family’s values in just a few words. Here are some examples:
The state of Maryland: strong deeds, gentle words
NASA: for the benefit of all
Nike: just do it
Not only will your coat of arms look great on the fridge, it will call you to the sense of introspection and inward focus you need to enter the season of Lent. We’d love to see what your family creates together! Share your coat of arms – or just your family motto – with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
