The tradition of king cake actually dates back thousands of years. This was long before Mardi Gras beads and parade throws took over New Orleans.
Its origins can be traced to Saturnalia, an ancient Roman festival celebrating role reversals, indulgence, and a temporary suspension of social norms. During Saturnalia, Romans baked a cake with a bean hidden inside. Whoever found the bean was crowned king or queen of the celebration. For at least the day, everyone else had to follow their orders.
Think chaos, feasting, and questionable decisions… a theme that will sound very familiar later.
From Saturnalia to the Feast of the Epiphany
Did You Know?
The Feast of the Epiphany is celebrated on January 6, also known as Twelfth Night—12 days after Christmas.
Around the 12th century, French Catholics adapted this pagan tradition to commemorate the Feast of the Epiphany. The feast marks the day the Three Wise Men visited the newborn Jesus in Bethlehem.
In Catholic tradition, Epiphany signals the official start of Carnival season.
Carnival, Mardi Gras, and the Start of Lent
Carnival comes from the Latin phrase carne levare, meaning “a farewell to meat.” It’s a season dedicated to feasting, celebration, and general excess. All of this builds toward Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday—when things really get real.
At midnight on Mardi Gras, the party comes to a screeching halt. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a period of repentance, abstinence, and reflection leading up to Easter. During this time, Catholics attend mass and receive ashes on their foreheads as a sign of remorse. They then begin 40 days of self-denial—regretting (at least a little) everything they did during Carnival.
And then, once Easter arrives, forgiveness is granted… until the entire cycle starts all over again next year.
How King Cake Came to Louisiana
French Catholics brought the king cake tradition to Louisiana in the mid to late 19th century. This was around the same time New Orleans’ Carnival parades were taking shape.
In 1892, the Krewe of Rex introduced the now-iconic Mardi Gras colors—Purple, Green, and Gold—during a parade themed “The Symbolism of Colors.” The colors were an instant hit. As a result, they have represented Mardi Gras ever since.
- Purple symbolizes Justice
- Green symbolizes Faith
- Gold symbolizes Power
These colors quickly made their way onto king cakes, turning them into the unmistakable Carnival staple we know today.
The Baby in the King Cake
What’s hidden inside the king cake has evolved over centuries. The original fava bean used during Saturnalia eventually became a pea, then a porcelain baby, and finally the plastic baby most king cakes use today. The baby represents the newborn Jesus.
If you find the baby in your slice, you’re crowned King or Queen for the day. You also earn the honor (and responsibility) of hosting the next king cake celebration. We recommend ordering from Joe Gambino’s Bakery, they ship across the US.
A blessing… or a strategic reason to take very small bites.
Keep Exploring New Orleans
New Orleans is more than Mardi Gras—it’s history, food, festivals, and unforgettable experiences year-round. If you’re planning a trip (or just dreaming about one), don’t miss these New Orleans guides and stories from The Tipsy Terrier:
Planning more Crescent City adventures? Explore all of our New Orleans travel guides on The Tipsy Terrier, including our takes on Mardi Gras balcony parties on Bourbon Street, a deep dive into Dakar NOLA, best place to stay in the French Quarter, Bloody Mary’s Supernatural Ghost Hunt, New Orleans Cocktail Crawl, Classic Creole Restaurants, Best Things to do in New Orleans beyond Bourbon Street, and our insider experience with the Krewe of Orpheus.
From king cake season and Carnival parades to where to eat, drink, and stay in the city, we’re sharing our favorite ways to experience the Big Easy. We’ll do it one bite and cocktail at a time.
