Many times on that day during the Feast of Epiphany a mock king would be chosen. The way the mock king was usually chosen by dividing a cake and then whoever found the bean or coin hidden in the cake was king for a day. Therefore, over the years “king” and “cake” became linked together and became what is now called the King Cake. The bean or coin that was originally placed inside the cake was eventually replaced by a plastic baby the size of a pea to symbolize the baby Jesus.

A traditional King Cake has an oval shape, symbolizing the route the three wise men took to get to the Christ Child. It is believed they took a circular route to fool King Herod who was following them so he could get to the Christ Child and kill him.

In the late 1800’s in Louisiana the Twelfth Night became associated with Mardi Gras. The Twelfth Night was called King’s Day and represented the official start to the Mardi Gras season of merrymaking and revelry. To this day, King Cakes are usually eaten on January 6th. On that day many merrymakers host parties where a King Cake is divided up in hopes of finding the baby hidden inside. Most King Cakes are still baked in an oval shape, but are now topped with green, gold, and purple sprinkles. Green, gold, and purple are the traditional Mardi Gras colors and symbolize faith, power, and justice.

Once again, the official Mardi Gras season will begin on January 6th. This year’s Mardi Gras! Galveston celebration will kick off on January 25th and last through February 5th, 2008, but don’t forget to celebrate before then by having a piece of King Cake on King’s Day; January 6th.