Mardi Gras Beads

By  Sandra Paluzzi
 The Bead Peddler®

Both Dwyn and Bethany focused on Valentine's Day for this month's issue.  I live in the North East part of the USA and to me, February is indeed the cruelest month.  I am not a big fan of either snow or cold and spend a lot of time fantasizing about being in a warm, sunny climate such as New Orleans for some Mardi Gras fun.

Mardi Gras actually started as a Catholic religious celebration. It starts on the day of the Epiphany (when the 3 wise men visited the baby Jesus) and ends promptly at midnight on the Tuesday before lent begins.  This Tuesday is sometimes called Shrove Tuesday, but more commonly called 'Fat Tuesday' because it is the day when people ate the fatted calf before fasting for lent.

As do many Catholic celebrations and traditions, Mardi Gras may have its roots in pagan times and celebrations.  Whatever its roots, it was brought to the USA in 1699 by a Spanish immigrant.  At that time, Mardi Gras was celebrated with masked balls and parties.  The masked balls continue through this day.

Mardi Gras celebrations continued off and on through the years.   They were halted while the Spanish ruled, restarted and then again put on hold during the Civil War.  They resumed in 1827.  They have gone on uninterrupted since that time and are now a huge, sophisticated business.  But that was not always the case.  In the mid 19th century, some people were afraid they were getting too rowdy and there was talk of stopping them. 

However, in 1872, Russia's Grand Duke Alexis decided to visit New Orleans during festival time.  This visit caused people to organize into a strong business like structure that continues to this day.  The marchers were organized into an organization called a krewe and took part in a day time parade complete with floats.   Mardi Gras was here to stay!

The original krewe, the Rex krewe, still marches.  It has been joined by two other major krewes and several smaller krewes.  The participants are all masked and ride on elaborate floats. 

So when do I get to the beads?  Well, in 1920, of course.  That is when the krewes first started throwing beads from floats. The beads represent the jewelry that royalty wears.   Like commoners from years gone by, parade watchers stand on the sidelines and beg for their treats.  "Throw me something, Mister" is the common phrase.  If the watcher has managed to catch the eye of someone in the krewe, they will be rewarded by having  plastic beads thrown at them.  While other things are also tossed, beads are still one of the two most prized catches.  Coconuts are also very prized.

Mardi Gras' colors are purple for justice, green for faith and gold for power.   These colors are prevalent in Mardi Gras beads but are not the only colors used in the beads.  Mardi Gras beads come in all sizes, shapes and colors.  The majority of bead strings are just inexpensive strands of round plastic beads in one color.  However, Mardi Gras beads can also be more elaborate and have centerpieces such as dubloons.   Of course, it is the more elaborate bead strands that are so highly prized.  Me, sitting here bundled up in my warm house with the wintry cold outside, I'd be thrilled to be down south right now, begging for even one simple strand of the over 200,000 gross of beads that are tossed.  Instead I have tried to paint a picture of it for you. And in parting, I will join Bethany and Dwyn in wishing you all a very Happy Valentine's Day. 

This article drew a response from Sue Lucinski which expanded on the history of beads and more importantly, showed the true spirit and wonder of Mardi Gras.  She has graciously agreed to allow me to reprint her email here.

Dubloons came along in the 60's as aluminum coins that evolved into colored and precious metals that are prized by collectors. They are thrown or given separately.  

The advent of the plastic beads began when there was a ban on importing from the Communist block countries during the cold war. At least this has always been the reason given in New Orleans. I think it also has a lot to do with the market substituting plastic at a lower price. The first plastic beads were strung and some were just as intriguing as their glass counterparts. Later came the types where the bead halves are molded to the string and can't be taken apart and re-strung. Some of the Krewes have their emblems fashioned in plastic and added as the centerpiece.  

My most prized possession is a necklace that I have re-strung using the Czech beads from the 1920's that were gifted to me by my Great-aunt. The beads include imitation red coral, imitation carved ivory roses and elephants and a clasp that has a "coral" cab bezel set and stamped Czechoslovakia. 

 Every year that I miss going to Mardi Gras I am comforted by the beads that have become such an integral part of my life. Now that the parades stretch over several weeks it makes it easier to share the joy with the world. No where on Earth is so much so freely given, to so many, just  for the shear love of making them happy. I hope you can one day go and be a part of the family celebration of Mardi Gras! Be Blessed. 

Register to win 25.00 Worth of Beads and   Beading Supplies

 Click here to visit The Bead Peddler®

Full line of
                            * Bali sterling
    beads   
 * Indian glass
    beads
 * Czech beads
 * Stringing
    materials
 * Tools   
 * Findings.

Wholesale prices available to the public!