Archive for the ‘Festivals’ Category

Why is Mardi Gras Celebrated?

Why is Mardi Gras Celebrated?
Wherever it’s held the scenes at carnivals are full of color, pageantry and pure frenzy. Yet behind it all, there are many reasons why people celebrate Mardi Gras. Fat Tuesday The carnival is also called Fat Tuesday, as it takes place before Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. So Fat Tuesday or carnival is the last chance for people to enjoy themselves before turning to prayers and meditation. So while the scene is filled with frenzy and partying, there are actually religious undertones beneath it all. It’s worth noting that the carnival is another example of how the Church managed to fuse the pagan elements with Christian themes. Unable to stop the populace from participating, the authorities infused it with a religious element. To Promote Tourism Another reason...

Why Do We Eat Pancakes on Shrove Tuesday?

Why Do We Eat Pancakes on Shrove Tuesday?
Before people can perform the religious practices such as fasting and abstinence as part of the Lenten Season, they still need to pass through Shrove Tuesday. Primarily, this event is held a day before Ash Wednesday. Many countries practice this event including United Kingdom, New Zealand and Ireland. Furthermore, this special day is also celebrated in other nations like Canada and Australia. It is easier to understand why people eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday by looking at the basic nature of this event. The Reason for Eating Pancakes on This Special Day Why do we eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday? In countries such as England and other locations, Shrove Tuesday is also called Pancake Day because it has been a tradition to eat rich foods like pancakes on this particular day. Before they engage...

Why Do We Celebrate the 4th of July?

Why Do We Celebrate the 4th of July?
Aside from being referred to as ‘Glorious Fourth’ or simply ‘the Fourth,’ the U.S. Independence Day also goes by the name ‘the 4th of July.’ As one of the highly anticipated holidays each year, this special event is characterized by inspiring speeches, amazing displays of fireworks as well as joyous musical concerts. For others, this day can be considered a perfect day to spend some really great time together with close friends, relatives and families. Thanks to the festive atmosphere and colorful activities, this event is simply one of the happiest days of the year. For people who want to know the reason why people celebrate the 4th of July, they can find the answer just by taking a quick look back at the history of the U.S. The Major Reason Behind the 4th of July Celebration Why...

Why Do We Celebrate Bonfire Night?

Why Do We Celebrate Bonfire Night?
The history of Bonfire Night is commemorated every 5th of November. It is marked by colorful explosions and of course, several bonfires. It is a celebration of the foiled attempt by Guy Fawkes to destroy Parliament. Background Information When King James ascended to the throne, English Catholics hoped that the religious policy would change. Under Queen Elizabeth I, the Catholics were forbidden to practice their religious belief. However, King James I didn’t repeal any of these laws. If anything, things just got worse. Not only were they still forbidden to practice their belief, but penalties were imposed on people who didn’t attend Protestant sermons. What made it worse was that King James was the son of Mary, Queen of the Scots and a devout Catholic. Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot The...

Why is It Bad to Wear White After Labor Day?

Why is It Bad to Wear White After Labor Day?
Celebrated all throughout the world, Labor Day is an annual event that people hold in honor of the social and economic contributions of workers to society. While most countries celebrate this event on the first day of May, other countries celebrate it differently, such as in the U.S. wherein the celebration is held in September. Learn more about its history including why it is bad to wear white after Labor Day. Why People Consider It Bad to Wear White After Labor Day Why is it bad to wear white after Labor Day? People avoid wearing white during this particular day based on customs and traditions. Sometime between the latter parts of the 19th century and early parts of the 20th century, white clothing was used as status symbol for middle class members. Meanwhile, others believe that this kind...