The purple, green, and gold of Mardi Gras are more than a color scheme. By tradition, each color carries a meaning, and the three together tell the story of Carnival. If you are choosing colors for a custom throw, knowing the meaning helps you honor the tradition or bend it on purpose for your own theme. This guide covers where the colors came from, what they stand for, and how to use them on custom beads.
Where the Colors Came From
The three official Mardi Gras colors trace back to the Krewe of Rex, the group that has crowned the King of Carnival in New Orleans since the 1870s. Rex selected purple, green, and gold as the colors of the celebration, and later parades and krewes adopted them. Over time the trio spread from New Orleans across the Gulf South and into Mardi Gras events nationwide, from Mobile to Soulard in St. Louis.
What Each Color Means
The widely told tradition assigns a meaning to each color. Purple stands for justice. Green stands for faith. Gold stands for power. The three meanings together frame Carnival as a season of celebration under those ideals. When you design a throw in the classic three colors, you carry that tradition into your event, whether it is a parade, a festival, or a themed party.
Purple for Justice
Purple has long signaled royalty and dignity, which fits the crowns and courts of Carnival. On custom beads, a deep purple reads well at a distance and pairs cleanly with metallic gold. It anchors most classic Mardi Gras designs.
Green for Faith
Green brings life and renewal to the palette and balances the richer purple and gold. It is the color that keeps a three color strand from looking too heavy, and it stands out under daylight and stage lights alike.
Gold for Power
Gold adds the shine that makes Mardi Gras throws catch the eye from a float or a stage. Metallic gold beads and gold foil medallions give a strand the glow that crowds reach for.
Using the Colors on Custom Beads
You can order the classic three colors on nearly every product we make. Full-color medallion beads let you print a crest or logo in full color while keeping purple, green, and gold on the strand. Custom shape beads can mold a fleur-de-lis or a crown in gold. For night parades, LED light-up beads glow in the traditional colors after dark. Browse every option in the custom bead shop.
When to Break the Tradition
Not every event uses the classic three. A krewe with its own colors, a team in its franchise palette, or a Pride event in the rainbow all order custom colors that fit their theme. The tradition is a starting point, not a rule. We match any custom palette, so you can honor the purple, green, and gold or design something entirely your own. See how groups apply their colors on our krewe beads and Pride parade beads pages.
Colors for Your City or Krewe
Mardi Gras looks a little different in every city. New Orleans krewes lean into the classic three, while Mobile societies and Gulf Coast groups add their own signature shades. See city traditions on our New Orleans krewe beads and Mobile Mardi Gras beads pages, then pick the palette that fits your parade.
Order Custom Beads in the Colors That Fit Your Event
Whether you want the traditional purple, green, and gold or a palette all your own, we match your colors and print your design on every strand. Browse the custom bead shop, call (877) 723-2348, or contact us to start a proof.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the Mardi Gras colors mean?
By tradition, purple stands for justice, green stands for faith, and gold stands for power. The Krewe of Rex chose the three colors in the 1870s and the meanings became part of Carnival lore.
Can you match the exact purple, green, and gold?
Yes. We match the classic Mardi Gras colors or any custom palette using Pantone numbers or your samples. Send your colors and call (877) 723-2348.
Can I use colors other than the traditional three?
Yes. Many krewes, teams, and events order custom colors that fit their own theme. We match any palette you send.
Which bead style shows colors best?
Full-color medallion beads show a printed design in full color, while LED beads glow in your colors at night. Browse both in the shop or call for a recommendation.
