Mardi Gras Colors

The traditional Mardi Gras colors are green, gold and purple. In addition to providing vibrant hues for decorations, the colors also have a symbolic meaning. Green stands for faith, gold represents power, and purple symbolizes justice. Decorative touches featuring these signature colors easily bring the Mardi Gras spirit to any celebration.

Many colorful Mardi Gras accents come from the traditional parades through New Orleans. Revelers lining the streets catch plastic bead necklaces thrown from the floats. Beads are fun and functional. You can use them as decorations, hand them out as party favors, or just have fun wearing them.

At a Mardi Gras masquerade or other celebration, decorating yourself is just as important as decorating the venue. Elaborate masks covered in sequins and feathers are a popular choice.

Krewes, social organizations dedicated to creating floats and holding balls during the annual celebration, create commemorative doubloons to throw to parade onlookers. Even if you've never been to New Orleans, you can add a touch of its traditions to your party with shiny gold, purple and green coins.

The King Cake makes a delicious addition to your Mardi Gras party menu. A traditional treat made of sweet bread, it is topped with icing and sprinkled with purple, green and gold sugar.

Metallic decorations are a perfect fit for the Mardi Gras style. Fill glass bowls with beads and themed picks for a striking centerpiece.

Multi-hued hats are a fun way to incorporate the colors of Mardi Gras. Wear one to create a free-spirited style when attending a party or decorate the buffet table with a few purple, green and gold jester hats.

Do you want to wear the same beaded necklaces as everyone else at the party? Add interest to basic beads by pairing the typical Mardi Gras colors with unusual accents, such as plastic figures, or by increasing the size of your green, gold and purple beads.

Mardi Gras isn't a time to be shy. Will you stand out in your three-foot-tall purple, gold, and green hat? Yes, you will, and that's the point.

Revelers don't worry about fashion. Will those purple pants clash with your green polo shirt? Yes, they will, and that's just fine.

If you can stand with pride in green, purple and gold, you've embraced the spirit and meaning of Mardi Gras.