Archive for January, 2010

Join in the fun and laughter this Mardi Gras with a great adult Mardi Gras Jester costume and kids Mardi Gras Jesters costumes.

The Theatrical Sides of the Mardi Gras Jesters.

Probably one of the funniest Mardi costumes in the Mardi Gras parade is that of the jesters. You cannot help but laugh at their over-the-top antics and costumes just to get at your funny bone! You may think of them as the modern-day versions of the circus clown.

Vile Jester Adult Costume Diamond Jester Adult Costume Evil Jester Adult
Vile Jester Adult Costume Diamond Jester Adult Costume Evil Jester Adult

The Jester’s Art

You may wonder where the Mardi Gras jesters originated from. Well, the answer is pretty simple – the Mardi Gras celebrations are all about the royal courts of old, thus, the costumes of kings and queens as well as the formal ending marked by the “Meeting of the Courts”. And as with all royal courts in the world, there will be a jester to entertain the king on his low moments.

The court jester, who was also called the Court Fool, was used to balance out the four humours – sanguine, choleric, melancholia, and phlegmatic – that were then believed to influence an individual’s general health. This is the time when the adage about laughter being the best kind of medicine started, which the court jester was the primary provider.

Jester Adult Plus Costume Sexy Jester Adult Costume Mardi Gras Jesters Adult Costume
Jester Adult Plus Costume Sexy Jester Adult Costume Mardi Gras Jesters Adult Costume

In medieval times, the court jesters were usually mentally handicapped people who would have found no other means of employment were it not for their unwitting capability to amuse the court with their actions and behavior. In time, the court jesters slowly evolved to be esteemed members of the court able to insult the royals to some degree without facing punishment. One of the most famous was Archibald Armstrong, court jester to King James.

In many ways, Mardi Gras jesters retains the role of the court jesters of old. Thus, you will see a jester juggling balls, telling jokes and generally just behaving in goofy manners to bring on the laughs.

Mardi Gras Jester Adult Costume King's Jester Adult Costume
Mardi Gras Jester Adult Costume King’s Jester Adult Costume

Jester’s Costume

During Mardi Gras, you can usually single out the jesters through their hats. These hats are usually pointed at the ends with small bells hanging off them such that every step is accompanied by joyous tinkling. Jester hats usually have two points that look like horns although three or more points are not unusual either.

If you choose to play the jester, we suggest placing symbols on your jester’s cap to signify the vices of humanity. Thus, you can draw or hang dice and coins representing the evils of gambling and drinking alcohol. In many instances, too, the cap also forms part of the face mask although there are some that are separate.

You can also play around with the jester costume. If you will look into the online sites, the variety ranges from the black-and-white combo to colorful outfits in bright hues, all of which are accepted costumes. Basically, your choice of costume depends on your preference, budget and theme for the year. Others even go in jester costumes that evoke professions like doctors and lawyers, two sectors of society that has been at the butt of jokes for what seems like ages.

Being the modern Mardi Gras jester is as fun as it looks. Just make sure that when you are having fun, others are having fun, too, but not at their expense. The Mardi Gras festival may be a festival of excesses in some instances but it is still nice if you can be nice to other people.

Catching More Mardi Gras Beads, Having More Fun.

One of the great pleasures of watching the Mardi Gras parade – no, make that participating in the colorful parade New Orleans is famously known for – is the collection of Mardi beads. Yes, you can purchase these colorful Mardi beads with all sorts of tiny masks, medallions and pirate coins hanging off their ends at online sites and boutiques but still, there is no thrill like having them thrown your way by the float riders.

Mardi Gras Lobster Beads
Mardi Gras Lobster Beads

And we don’t mean having to flash your upper private parts just to do so! Remember your children are around so you must behave for them and show them how to collect the Carnival beads the good, clean and fun way.

Location, Location, Location

Before the Mardi Gras celebration, it pays to research on and scout out the good locations along the parade route. Usually, New Orleans officials will post the parade route so you basically have an idea where to park your car early on during the parade day itself. This way, you have more chances of attracting the attention of the float riders who throw the Mardi beads.

Just keep in mind that there are certain areas of the French Quarter in New Orleans that you should avoid when children are with you because of the more boisterous celebrations happening there. Instead, opt for the St. Charles Garden District for more family-friendly celebrations.

If possible, you should position your car in an area where you can walk a couple of blocks more to catch the parade again. You can collect more colorful beads in this manner.

Make Your Own Float

Mardi Gras Pirate Beads
Mardi Gras Pirate Medallion Beads

And speaking of car, you can draw attention to it and, hence, earn the appreciation of the float riders through more Mardi Gras beads thrown your way. You can use inexpensive materials like fabric swatches, crepe paper, ribbons, old masks and other ornamental touches in the Mardi colors of purple, green and gold.

You can also play festive music from your car especially Mardi Gras mixes, which can be purchased for cheap at stores. Or you can play other types of music, even the Louisiana State University or Tulane University fight song. Now, watch as the beads go your way!

Be One of Them

The best way you can attract more beads to come flying your way is, of course, to be one with the festivities. You need not wear an elaborate Madi Gras costume if you are not so inclined since even inexpensive beads, a crazy hat and colorful mask are sufficient. If possible, you should always make an effort to provide an appropriate Mardi Gras costume for your children out of affordable fabrics of purple, green and gold.

Mardi Gras Rose Beads
Mardi Gras Rose Beads

Plus, it never did hurt anybody to shout “Throw me something, mister” at the float riders. It is tradition and you are bound to get a string of beads, if only for the sake of tradition. The important thing is that you actually get the attention of the Mardi Gras float riders who ought to be able to throw you one of those authentic, collectible beads.

At the end of the day, you should have collected so many Mardi Gras beads that your neck will be so heavily and colorfully laden with them! Now is the time to appreciate and share your loot.