The colors of Carnival are purple, green and gold. Purple
represents justice, green represents faith, and gold represents power. These
colors can be found throughout New Orleans during the Carnival season.
The sounds of marches, waltzes, jazz, zydeco and rhythm and blues are heard everywhere during
Carnival. “If I Ever Cease to Love” is the title of the Carnival
anthem. It may be played as a waltz or a march depending on the occasion.
The one food that is reserved for the Carnival season is the King Cake, a ring-shaped French pastry
decorated in purple, green, and gold. A small doll or bean is baked inside the
cake. The person who finds the favor in their slice becomes the King or Queen
and must host the next party. Other traditional foods such as turtle soup are
served at the Queen’s Supper and other Carnival feasts.