The mere mention of Mardi Gras conjures up images of wild parties, indulgence, and debauchery.

There are weeks of parades and festivities. The celebration is synonymous with mystery and rich with lore. However, the roots of the tradition are actually grounded in religion — and here are six facts about Mardi Gras and its faith-based traditions:

 The Mardi Gras season actually begins on Jan. 6, the day of Epiphany.

1.) Fat Tuesday — or “Mardi Gras” in French — is the traditional celebration the day before the beginning of Lent. Lent is the 40-day fasting period preceding Easter Sunday, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Families would often abstain from eating meat, eggs, and oil during the Lent season. So they would feast on the remaining rich foods in the household so that those things would not be wasted.

2.) The Mardi Gras season actually begins on Jan. 6, the Day of Epiphany. Christians celebrate Epiphany as the day the Wise Men came to visit the Baby Jesus. As told in the Gospel of Matthew, these kings from the East brought the Newborn King gold, frankincense, and myrrh. There are ties to the Wise Men throughout Mardi Gras traditions.

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3.) The colors of Mardi Gras have been attributed to the original King Rex, who chose them for their royal significance. However, the colors also represent the royalty of the Wise Men. Purple represents justice, green is for faith, and gold symbolizes power.

4.) The delicious King Cake, a French pastry, is made in a circle to represent the crown of the Wise Men. As tradition goes, a small baby — representing Baby Jesus — is hidden in the cake to be found by one lucky guest. This celebrates how Jesus was sought out by the Wise Men — and also represents a hidden treasure available to those willing to find Him.

5.) Masks were worn to give all classes an opportunity to intermingle. It was one day out of the year when society had no limits. Although this practice isn’t necessarily religious, it does represent the idea that in Christ, all are created equal. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. All are united as one with the grace offered by Jesus.

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6.) As Mardi Gras ends, Lent begins. Lent is a time of fasting and humility beginning with Ash Wednesday. It is a period to prepare for the celebration of Easter Sunday, when Christ not only rose from the dead, but completed the sacrifice required to propitiate all mankind and womankind from their sin. It is not meant to be a period of punishment, but of re-focus, in order to draw closer to God and acknowledge the gift of salvation.

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Is the purpose of Mardi Gras considered holy? Certainly not in its current form. However, the celebration is not sinful and should be remembered for its Christian heritage, not just its pagan ties.

As always, God makes Himself seen in even the most unexpected places. He is represented by the colors, traditions, food, and revelry. There is joy because of Christ, His sacrifice, and His triumph over death.

Katie Nations is a working mother of three young children. She lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.