What does Carnival celebrate?

Definition and Etymology

Carnival typically refers to a festive season leading up to the period of Lent—a season traditionally marked by fasting and reflection in certain branches of Christendom. The term “Carnival” is often traced back to medieval Latin expressions such as “carnem levare” (“remove meat”) or “carne vale” (“farewell to meat”), signifying the temporary farewell to certain types of food and indulgences just before the solemnity of Lent. In various cultures, Carnival celebrations feature parades, masquerades, dance, music, and general revelry as participants indulge in these festivities.

Historical and Cultural Background

Over centuries, Carnival has come to denote a time of social festivity, sometimes blending Christian observances with regional customs. In certain locations (e.g., Rio de Janeiro, Venice, or New Orleans), Carnival has developed vibrant cultural expressions, drawing on local traditions, folklore, and communal gaiety. The historical record traces elements of pre-Lenten festive gatherings as far back as medieval Europe, where communities upheld merrymaking in town squares and halls prior to the anticipated Lenten fast.

Archaeological and historical documents attest that many medieval towns employed community feasts just before Lent; city records from regions such as Venice mention Carnival-type celebrations from the late Middle Ages onward. While not directly described in Scripture, the tradition’s timing near Lent links it to the broader Christian liturgical calendar, at which point believers traditionally prepare themselves for the remembrance of Jesus Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection.

Biblical Perspective on Feasting and Celebration

Throughout Scripture, celebration and holy days are recognized under specific contexts. For example, the Israelites had divinely appointed festivals (e.g., Passover, Feast of Tabernacles) to remember God’s faithfulness (Exodus 23:14–16). These instances of feasting served as acts of gratitude and acknowledgment of Yahweh’s provision. However, the Bible also cautions against excess and misuse of festal gatherings:

• In Ecclesiastes 3:1, it is stated that “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” Biblical tradition thus recognizes moments designated for joy and celebration.

• Yet, Galatians 5:19–21 warns against “acts of the flesh,” which include extreme revelry and behaviors dishonoring to God, demonstrating that celebration can become spiritually detrimental if not observed with reverence and self-control.

For many Christians, festival periods were meant for thanksgiving and reflection, not simply for indulgence. While Carnival is not a biblically instituted festival, it shares with biblical feasts the notion of communal participation. However, its emphasis on unrestrained festivity can stand in tension with scriptural calls to holiness and moderation.

Connection to the Lenten Season

Carnival concludes with “Shrove Tuesday” (also known as Fat Tuesday), which directly precedes Ash Wednesday—the traditional start of Lent. Lent is a significant season of repentance, prayer, and fasting that some Christian traditions observe in preparation for commemorating the sacrificial death and victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:5–6). Historical sources indicate that Carnival became a farewell to indulgences before entering the solemn period of self-examination.

Although the Bible never commands a Carnival-like event, history shows that popular piety and cultural norms attached themselves to this pre-Lenten period to enjoy an exuberant celebration prior to the spiritual discipline of fasting.

Spiritual Considerations

1. Purpose of Feasting

Believers in biblical times feasted to honor and recall God’s kindness. For example, the Passover meal signified redemption from Egypt (Exodus 12:14). In the New Testament, Jesus attended wedding feasts (John 2:1–2) and joined in meals to foster fellowship and teach spiritual truths.

2. Potential Pitfalls of Excess

Scripture underscores the caution that celebration ought not to devolve into sinful practices. Paul writes, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). When celebrations like Carnival foster drunkenness, impurity, or neglect of God, they conflict with biblical standards of honoring the Creator in all aspects of life.

3. Balance and Sobriety

The Bible upholds joyful worship and communal festivity alongside earnest devotion. As Romans 14:5–6 expresses, “One person regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes a special day does so to the Lord.” This implies freedom in how festivals are held, provided they remain Christ-centered and free from sinful indulgence.

What Carnival Celebrates

In essence, Carnival celebrates a season of revelry before Christianity’s traditional Lenten fast. From a purely cultural viewpoint, Carnival revelers often enjoy music, parades, and dances, symbolizing “one last indulgence” of physical pleasures—especially rich foods—before the austerity of Lent. While some interpret Carnival as harmless celebration, others view aspects of it as at odds with biblical teachings regarding moderation and holiness.

Its deeper implication ties to the practice of preparing for the reflection and repentance in Lent, though modern Carnival customs can vary widely from the older, more religiously focused observances.

Contemporary Observations and Perspectives

Today, individuals may approach Carnival in several ways:

• Some embrace its cultural heritage, highlighting community spirit and local artistry.

• Others emphasize theological concerns, urging that Christians not engage in activities that promote sinfulness or trivialize the call to repentance.

• Certain regions preserve a closer tie to church traditions, with processions, devotions, and reminders about the upcoming Lent.

Conclusion

Carnival, historically, is a pre-Lenten festivity associated with merrymaking, communal gatherings, and an opportunity for enjoyment before the sobriety of Lent. Though it is not a biblically mandated observance, its origins connect to the Christian liturgical calendar. From a scriptural viewpoint, believers are encouraged to discern whether participation in such festivities aligns with the command to “do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Outside the Bible’s specific festivals, the guiding principles remain reverence for God, love for neighbors, and pursuit of holiness. For those who observe Carnival, understanding its historical purpose—both culturally and theologically—can help in determining how to commemorate any feast day in a manner consistent with biblical faith and practice.