The forty days of Lent , recalling the Gospel accounts of the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness , serve to mark an annual time of turning. In the days before Lent , all rich food and drink had to be disposed of. The consumption of this is thought to be the origin of Carnival.As an integral part of the Christian calendar , particularly in Catholic regions , some carnival traditions may date back to pre-Christian times . Carnival was also a manifestation of medieval folk culture . Many local carnival customs are based on local pre-Christian rituals. Some of the best-known traditions , including carnival parades and masquerade Masquerade Ball , were first recorded in medieval Italy . The carnival of Venice was for a long time the most famous carnival. In Italy, carnival traditions spread to the Catholic nations of Spain, Portugal and France. From France , they spread to the Rhineland of Germany , and again France in North America. From Spain and Portugal , they spread with Catholic colonization to the Caribbean and Latin America. In 1823 the first carnival in the world took place in Germany. Carnival is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent, the main events are usually during February. Carnival typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus party, mask and public street. People often dress up or masquerade during the celebrations. This goes back to the harvest celebrations of St. Martin's Day. Protestant areas usually do not have carnival or have modified traditions, such as the Danish Carnival or other Shrive Tuesday events. The Philippines, although a predominantly Roman Catholic country, has no Carnival because it was culturally influenced by neighboring Asian nations that do not have Carnival celebrations. Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Shrove Tuesday is determined by Easter, the date of which changes every year. The term Shrove Tuesday comes from the word shrive, meaning "confess." Related popular practices are associated with celebrations before the fasting and religious obligations associated with the penitential season of Lent. The term "Mardi Gras" is French for Fat Tuesday, referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday. The pancakes are associated with the day preceding Lent because they were a way to use rich foods such as eggs, milk and sugar, before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent. The liturgical fasting emphasized eating simple food and refraining from food that would give pleasure: In many cultures, this means no meat, dairy or eggs. In Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland and New Zealand the day is also known as "Pancake Day" as it is common practice to eating pancakes as a meal. In Newfoundland little signs are often cooked in the pancakes. Children will delight in discovering the objects, which are intended for divination. For example, the person who receives a coin will be rich.The most famous pancake race , at Olney in Buckinghamshire, has been held since 1445 . The contestants , traditionally women, carry a frying pan and race to the finish. The rules are strict : the contestants must launch their pancakes at the beginning and at the end , wearing an apron and a scarf. Traditionally, when people want to participate , they have to dress like a housewife . The race is followed by a church service .Since 1950, the people of Liberal , Kansas and Olney have held the contest " International Pancake Day " between the two cities. Competitors race The two cities " , measured along an agreed route . Competitors ' times of the two cities ' are compared to determine a winner. After the 2009 race, Liberal was leading with 34 wins to Olney 25 . a similar race is held in North Somercotes , Lincolnshire , England. Scarborough celebrates closing the coast to all traffic , the closure of schools in advance, and inviting everyone to jump. Traditionally, long ropes were used from the nearby harbor . The auctioneer pancake rings the bell , located at the corner of Westborough and Huntress Row.
