Origin

King cake is a pastry meant to celebrate the feast of the Epiphany (also called Twelfth Night or King's Day) when the wise men brought their gifts to Jesus. The custom is thought to date to 12th century France.

Mardi Gras Connection

In areas of the United States where Mardi Gras is observed, the king cake became part of the celebration because the carnival season begins in January with Twelfth Night, or King's Day, and culminates in Mardi Gras (the Tuesday before Lent).

Description

A king cake consists of strands of cinnamon-flavored dough, which are twisted into an oval and baked. It may have a fruit or cream filling. The shape is said to portray the circular route used by the kings to get to the Christ child. They took this route to throw King Herod off their trail because he wanted to kill the baby.

Colors

King cakes are iced and decorated with sugar in customary Mardi Gras colors: gold, which stands for power; green, which stands for faith; and purple, which represents justice, says Holidays.net.

Hidden Trinkets

Originally, a bean, pea, or a coin was baked inside the king cake, and the person who found it in his piece was declared "king" for the day. Today, Mardi Gras king cakes usually contain a small plastic baby, representing the Christ child. The person who finds it is said to have good luck in the new year and is traditionally responsible for providing the king cake for the next celebration, according to KingCake.com.

Source:

Holidays.net

KingCake.com