http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras A photo slideshow of the celebration of Mardi Gras. en Copyright 2013, History.com Sun, 19 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT History.com 2013-05-19T04:00:00Z en Copyright 2013, History.com http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo1 Members of the Krewe of Rex parade down St. Charles Avenue Mardi Gras Day in New Orleans. http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo1 http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo2 Children celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana. http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo2 http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo3 The carnival in Switzerland is called Fasnacht. http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo3 http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo4 The cake celebrates the Maji who visited Christ during the Epiphany. http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo4 http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo5 An oil painting from 1839 by Aleksandr-Petrovic Mjasoedo of Roman celebrations. http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo5 http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo6 Part of the Carnival celebrations in Venice, Italy. http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo6 http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo7 The Zulu Crewe prides itself on having the best brass marching band in the New Orleans Mardi Gras parade. http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo7 http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo8 A parade car from the samba school Grande Rio is being prepared in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo8 http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo9 A carnival-witch of the "Offenburger Hexenzunft" throws black sausages into the crowds from a balcony in Offenburg. http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo9 http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo10 "Peliqueiros", or ancient tax collectors, pursue villagers through the streets ringing their cowbells and hitting villagers with their sticks. http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo10 http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo11 The wild celebrations of Carnival end at Ash Wednesday, the begining of the holy Lent season in Christianity. Painting by Workshop of Pieter Bruegel the Elder. http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo11 http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo12 A carnival mask on display in Venice, Italy. http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo12 http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo13 19th Century Antique Vase Illustration of Dionysus and Three Figures http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo13 http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo14 Bacchus is the God of Wine in Roman Mythology. A festive holiday in Rome was called Bacchanalia. http://www.history.com/photos/mardi-gras/photo14