Mardi Gras also Fat Tuesday in English, refers to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after the Epiphany or King's Day and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras isFrench for "Fat Tuesday", reflecting the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of theLenten season.Related popular practices are associated with celebrations before the fasting and religious obligations associated with thepenitential season of Lent. The date of Fat Tuesday coincides with that of celebrations of Shrove Tuesday, from the word shrive, meaning "confess".