TRADITION

Mardi Gras or Carnival season officially begins on January 6th or “Twelfth Night,” also known as “Epiphany." Jesus first showed himself to the three Wise men on this day. As a symbol of this remarkable day, a tiny plastic baby is placed inside each King Cake.

Myth says if you get the baby it can mean a lot of things. Many believe it means your are expecting a baby. Many believe it means good luck, or you have to buy the next King Cake. 

The King Cake is usually oval-shaped. People usually describe it as a cross between a coffee cake and a French pastry. The cakes are decorated in royal colors of PURPLE which signifies “Justice,” GREEN for “Faith,” and GOLD for “Power.”

These holy colors were chosen to resemble a jeweled crown honoring the Wise Men who visited the Jesus on the Epiphany. Other things were hidden in King Cake in the past, such things as coins, beans, pecans, or peas.