Mardi Gras is a spectacle of vibrant parades, elaborate costumes, and unbridled celebration. However, beneath the public revelry lies a world of hidden traditions, deeply rooted superstitions, and exclusive gatherings known only to a select few. While most people associate the festival with the lively streets of New Orleans, Mardi Gras has a long and complex history stretching beyond Bourbon Street, with secret societies, exclusive masquerade balls, and unique customs practiced in different regions of the South.

The Secretive World of Mardi Gras Krewes: Private Balls and Exclusive Celebrations

One of the most mysterious aspects of Mardi Gras is the world of krewes, the social organizations responsible for organizing the festival’s parades and balls. Some of these krewes are well-known and open to the public, such as the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club and Krewe of Bacchus, but others are shrouded in secrecy, their memberships and traditions carefully guarded.

The Most Exclusive Mardi Gras Krewes

• Krewe of Comus (Founded 1857) – The oldest Mardi Gras krewe, Comus introduced New Orleans to the concept of a themed parade and remains one of the most secretive groups. Unlike many modern krewes, Comus does not allow public membership, and its Twelfth Night Ball is an invitation-only event attended by the city’s elite.
• Knights of Momus (Founded 1872) – Another exclusive krewe, Momus stopped hosting public parades in 1992 but continues its secret traditions behind closed doors.
• Rex Organization (Founded 1872) – The Rex Krewe is one of the most famous but still operates under layers of exclusivity. The identity of Rex, the king of Mardi Gras, is kept secret until Lundi Gras (the day before Mardi Gras), and only those within certain social circles receive invitations to the lavish Rex Ball.
• Le Krewe d’État (Founded 1996) – A newer krewe that upholds the secrecy and satire of traditional Mardi Gras, d’État is known for its irreverent themes and hidden membership.

For many of these krewes, the real celebration happens behind closed doors at their grand masquerade balls, where only invited members and select guests can attend. These black-tie affairs are reminiscent of the aristocratic balls of 18th-century France, featuring elaborate gowns, masked identities, and carefully choreographed presentations of debutantes and royalty.

Mardi Gras Superstitions: The Meaning Behind the Madness

Beyond the parades and pageantry, Mardi Gras is also steeped in folklore and superstition. Some traditions may seem like simple party customs, but they carry significant meanings passed down through generations.

The Zulu Coconut: A Lucky Catch

One of the most prized throws of Mardi Gras is the Zulu coconut, a hand-decorated coconut given out by the Krewe of Zulu. Receiving a coconut is considered a sign of good fortune and prosperity, but tradition dictates that you must never reach for or grab the coconut—it must be handed to you directly by a Zulu rider.

The King Cake Baby and Its Hidden Meanings

The king cake, a staple of Mardi Gras season, holds its own superstitions. Traditionally, a tiny plastic baby is baked inside, and whoever finds it must host the next Mardi Gras party or buy the next king cake. However, some believe different colored babies (in specialty cakes) symbolize different fortunes:

• Gold Baby – Wealth and prosperity
• Purple Baby – Spiritual blessings
• Green Baby – Health and vitality

Mardi Gras Mask Superstitions

Masks are more than just decorative accessories during Mardi Gras; they carry spiritual and symbolic significance:

• It is believed that wearing a mask allows you to connect with spirits and embrace your alter ego.
• Removing your mask before the stroke of midnight on Fat Tuesday is considered unlucky, as it signifies losing your good fortune for the year.
• Many believe that throwing a Mardi Gras mask into a fire at the end of the festival releases bad energy and ensures a fresh start.

North Side Skull and Bone Gang: A Wake-Up Call

Dating back to 1819, the North Side Skull and Bone Gang is one of New Orleans’ oldest Mardi Gras traditions. Before dawn on Mardi Gras Day, members dress in skeleton costumes and roam the Treme neighborhood, knocking on doors and waking residents with drums and chants. Their purpose is to remind everyone of their mortality and the need to live a righteous life, blending African and Haitian influences in their rituals.

Mardi Gras Facts and Weird Tidbits

Mardi Gras is filled with traditions, but there are plenty of quirky and fascinating facts that many people don’t know:

• Mardi Gras Means “Fat Tuesday” – The name comes from the French tradition of eating rich, fatty foods before the fasting season of Lent.
• The First Mardi Gras in America Was in Mobile, Alabama – Established in 1703, Mobile’s celebrations predate New Orleans’ by more than a decade.
• The Longest-Running Parade – The Krewe of Rex has been parading since 1872, introducing many Mardi Gras staples, including the official colors: purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power).
• Flashing for Beads? Not a Tradition! – Contrary to popular belief, the custom of flashing for beads originated in the late 20th century and is not part of traditional Mardi Gras culture.
• Beads Used to Be Made of Glass – Early Mardi Gras beads were handcrafted from glass, but today, most are plastic and imported from China.
• King Cake Babies Used to Be Porcelain – Before plastic, king cake babies were made of porcelain or even gold in some cases.
• Coconuts are the Most Coveted Throws – Krewe of Zulu’s coconuts are highly prized, and getting one is seen as a major honor.
• New Orleans Once Banned Mardi Gras – After the Spanish took control of Louisiana in 1762, Mardi Gras was banned until French Creoles revived it in the early 19th century.
• Mardi Gras is a Legal Holiday in Louisiana – Louisiana is the only U.S. state that officially recognizes Mardi Gras as a public holiday.

Flambeaux: Illuminating Tradition

Originating in the 19th century, the flambeaux (French for “flame torch”) tradition began as a means to light the nighttime Mardi Gras parades before electric streetlights existed. Originally carried by enslaved Africans and free men of color, these torches illuminated the festivities. Today, flambeaux carriers continue to march in parades, spinning and twirling their lit torches, adding a mesmerizing element to the celebrations. This practice not only serves as a nod to history but also showcases the endurance of cultural traditions.

Conclusion: The Unseen Side of Mardi Gras

While most people think of Mardi Gras as an open celebration filled with beads, booze, and brass bands, the reality is much deeper. From the exclusive krewes and their secretive balls to superstitions that dictate fortune and fate, Mardi Gras is a festival of tradition, mystery, and history. Even beyond New Orleans, hidden Mardi Gras celebrations across the South maintain their own unique customs, proving that this festival is far more than just a party—it is a deeply rooted cultural phenomenon, passed down through generations, with secrets still waiting to be uncovered.