Why Are Mardi Gras Beads Thrown?

Mardi gras beads are traditionally gold, green or purple.

Mardi Gras, which means "fat Tuesday" in French, is the culmination of Carnival's weeks of partying and feasting before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Beads, coins, cups and other trinkets are tossed to parade onlookers by carnival organizers, called krewes. As the meaning of the beaded necklaces has been impacted by different practices, associations and media outlets, their purpose may not be recognized by Mardi Gras celebrators.

History

While the parades themselves date back to the 1830s, the tradition of throws started in the 1870s. Then, most trinkets were doubloons with the krewe's emblem on one side and the parade's theme on the other. The Rex krewe started tossing inexpensive glass bead necklaces imported from Czechoslovakia and Japan. As the crowds enjoyed receiving beads, all the other parading krewes took up the practice.

Significance

Krewes attach their logo to merchandise they throw. By throwing and having people wear their breads during Mardis Gras, the beads help promote krewes. With the abundance of trinkets thrown, parade participants may select to only pick up the most prized trinkets. Throws, then, can become a source of pride and competition for krewes and a source of thrills and fun for parade onlookers.

Types

Typically, krewes throw purple, gold and green beads among other trinkets that range in value at Mardi Gras parades. Today, most necklaces are made from plastic and manufactured in China, but a few select trinkets are collector's items and relished by parade onlookers. Necklaces that light up are another popular item at throws.

Features

Parades, which are organized by krewes, run throughout Carnival season. They start on January 6, the 12th night of Christmas, and end on Mardi Gras. At these throws, krewes toss trinkets to the crowd, with the most elaborate parades and throws occurring on Mardi Gras.

Misconceptions

Popular media associates the shiny beaded necklaces with flashing body parts, especially with women flashing their breasts. Krewes, however, dedicate a lot of resources to purchasing trinkets. So many trinkets are thrown that onlookers don't have to perform for beads. They will, during the course of a parade, gather various trinkets (although, the more prized trinkets may be harder to come by). Flashing appears merely as a right of passage during the festivities.

References

• National Geographic News: The Rich History of Mardi Gras's Cheap Trinkets
• Mardis Gras New Orleans: Mardis Gras Throws