What is the difference between Rio's Carnaval and Mardi Gras?

I just saw this:

Party time! Carnival opens in Rio - Yahoo

So my dumb question, what is the difference between carnival and Mardi Gras?

Mardi Gras refers to Fat Tuesday, the day before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.

And carnival starts on the day of the Feast of Epiphany. Epiphany, celebrated by the Catholic Church on January 6,is the day the visit of the Magi to Jesus (the three wise men).

Both are Catholic areas, Brazil was colonized by the Portuguese, and New  Orleans was run by the French, till the US bought it after Andrew Jackson kicked out the British.

So Carnival is more Spanish, where Mardi Gras is French. My understanding, is Portuguese and Spanish are very similar, and a person who speaks Portoguese can usually understand a Spanish speaking one..

The traditional colors in New Orleans for Mardi Gras are:

Meaning of Colors
	Justice (purple)
	Power (gold)
	Faith (green)

And some cute dresses for Carnival:

 Girl's Lavender Sequined Bodice with Layered Mesh Skirt

Retail Price: $84.99

Our Price: $49.99

You Save: $35.00

 

Girl's Gold Sequined Bodice with Layered Mesh Skirt

Retail Price: $99.99

Our Price: $59.99

You Save: $40.00

Girl's Lime Green Sequined Bodice with Layered Mesh Skirt

Retail Price: $84.99

Our Price: $49.99

You Save: $35.00

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Mardi Gras for Kids

Our images of Mardi Gras tend to be pretty R-rated: raucous parades, racy costumes, wild parties in the streets. Not exactly a festival you want to take your kids to. Although there are plenty of cool ways to celebrate Mardi Gras with your kids. At heart, Mardi Gras appeals to the kid in all of us. With a little imagination, you can concoct a Mardi Gras party for your own kids that they’ll love (and so will you).

1. 1. Dress for the occasion. Mardi Gras costumes traditionally spoof those in power. Don't be surprised if your kids decide to dress up as you!
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3. 2. Break out the beads. Kids love those sparkly strings of Mardi Gras beads. They're a cheap easy way to feel festive this feast day.
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5. 3. Have A Movie Marathon. Get some of the kid friendly movie and invite your kids' friend to have a movie marathon at your home. Make sure to make  a lot of popcorn and beverage. 
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7. 4. Have a Crafts Day. Invite your kids' friends and make them create their own mask and other craft stuff.
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9. 5. Bake a King Cake. These traditional cakes have a tiny trinket - often a plastic baby - hidden inside. Kids love finding treasure in their food!
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For Mardi Gras Costumes for your little girls, check out Girls Party Dresses from Elitedresses. They also have a Mardi Gras sale on going that will end on Monday.

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