What Do The Colors of Mardi Gras Represent?

What exactly do the iconic purple, gold and green represent?

Today is Fat Tuesday and I am quite disappointed in myself. I didn't even bring something to indulge in at work today during lunch. I brought a boring salad and some shrimp. If I really wanted to indulge, I would have brought a pint of ice cream and a large pizza for myself.

With all the hoopla of Fat Tuesday, people are decorating their indulgent foods and drinks in purple, gold and green. It got me thinking, what exactly do those colors mean?

MardigrasNewOrleans.com spells out exactly what these colors represent.

1872 was the year that a group of businessmen invented a King of Carnival, Rex, to preside over the first daytime parade. To  honor the visiting Russian Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff, the businessmen introduced Romanoff's family colors of purple, green and gold as Carnival's official colors. Purple stands for justice; gold for power; and green for faith. This was also the Mardi Gras season that Carnival's improbable anthem, "If Ever I Cease to Love," was cemented, due in part to the Duke's fondness for the tune.

Well, sure makes sense to me! Now excuse me while I go eat all the donuts in the break room.