This year, Shrove Monday will be observed on March 3. The day, also known as “Collop Monday”, “Rose Monday”, “Merry Monday”, or “Hall Monday,” is an annual Christian holiday that is observed on the Monday before Ash Wednesday. The day is celebrated with carnival parades and floats that often satirize a culture’s habits or people, national and international public figures, recent events, and taboo subjects. Marching bands and local associations are also a part of these parades. The parades are visited by spectators and some may even receive media coverage. Spectators at the parade also dress as mythical or political figures, thus adding to the merriment of the day.
History of Shrove Monday
Shrove Monday is a Christian holiday held before the beginning of Lent. “Shrove” is the past tense of the English verb ‘shrive,’ which means ‘to be absolved of one’s sins through confession and forgiveness.’ So, the name Shrovetide comes from the shriving English Christians were expected to perform to receive absolution before Lent began. Collopy Monday is named after the traditional dish of the day, which consists of slices of leftover meat (collops of bacon) and eggs. It is traditionally eaten for breakfast as part of the Lenten preparations. In addition to providing some meat, collops also provided the fat for Shrove Tuesday’s pancakes. It is rarely observed nowadays.
Shrove Monday is part of the German, Danish, and Austrian Carnival calendar, called ‘Rosenmontag.’ In the Rhineland, the holiday is part of the pre-Lenten ‘Fasching’ festival or the ‘Feast of Fools,’ a time for breaking the rules, poking fun at those who make them, and making your own new rules. The festival features marching bands, boisterous revelries, and satirical floats.
Since the late 20th century, the Shrove Monday celebrations of the New Orleans and Mississippi Gulf Coast Mardi Gras, which date back to the 19th century, have been known as ‘Lundi Gras’ or ‘Fat Monday.’ It’s a party with music, food, and drink on three stages. Shrove Monday is a national holiday in Aruba, and it’s used to recover from the festivities of Carnival before beginning Lent fasts.
Shrove Monday timeline
Henry II starts the trend of an annual traditional football match that is different from modern-day football.
Trinidad and Tobago Carnivals first celebrate Shrove Monday in the Caribbean.
Carnival celebrations to mark Shrove Monday begins in Mississippi, U.S.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Mardi Gras is renamed Lundi Gras or Fat Monday.
Shrove Monday FAQs
What does Shrove Monday celebrate?
Shrove Monday is celebrated before Ash Wednesday and signals people to start preparing for the season of Lent.
Is Shrove Monday a holiday in Germany?
Shrove Monday is not a public holiday in Germany.
Who celebrates Shrove Monday?
Shrove Monday is celebrated by Germany, Argentina, Denmark, Bolivia, Venezuela, Greece, and other Christian-majority countries.
What does 'shrove' mean?
‘Shrove,’ derived from ‘shrive,’ refers to the practice of confessing sins in preparation for Lent, which was common in Europe during the Middle Ages.
How to Observe Shrove Monday
Feast on collop and eggs
Start Shrove Monday by feasting on the traditional meal of collop and eggs. A collop of bacon may be eaten with beans and vegetables to add more flavor to the dish. This is the best way to start the celebrations!
Attend a carnival
Find out if there are any carnivals on Shrove Monday located close to your area. You may even dress up in costumes or participate in the festivities as a spectator. Shrove Monday carnivals are a stunning sight.
Start preparing for Lent
After you are done celebrating Shrove Monday, you could start preparing for Lent. Devout Christians prepare for Lent by confessing, fasting, giving up certain food items, and praying more.
5 Intriguing Facts About Shrove Monday
Politicians are mocked
Shrove Monday features parades and events where politicians are mocked.
It includes a day for eating meat
Shrove Monday is a day for people to consume all of the meat in their homes, so it doesn't spoil over the next 40 days of Lent.
Carnivals and Shrove Mondays are synonymous
Some of the world’s largest and most famous carnival celebrations take place in New Orleans, Rio de Janeiro, and Venice.
‘Collop’ doesn’t always mean bacon
Any fatty piece of meat may be referred to as ‘collop’ and consumed on Shrove Monday.
It also marks the start of spring
Shrove Monday marks the beginning of Spring in the Greek Orthodox calendar.
Why Shrove Monday is Important
A celebration of age-old traditions
Shrove Monday is celebrated with The Royal Shrovetide Football Match dating back to the 12th Century. Ancient traditions like these make Shrove Monday an important historical observation while keeping old traditions alive.
A time of merry-making
Shrove Monday is celebrated with carnivals, parades, and floats. People dress up, indulge in satire, and drink and eat to celebrate. Shrove Monday is a perfect holiday to spend some fun times with your loved ones.
A celebration of rare foods
Shrove Monday, in a way, also celebrates foods that are increasingly becoming rare. Also known as Collop Monday and Peasen Monday, this is a good opportunity to celebrate collop bacon and eggs, and pea soup.
Shrove Monday dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | February 28 | Monday |
| 2023 | February 20 | Monday |
| 2024 | February 12 | Monday |
| 2025 | March 3 | Monday |
| 2026 | February 16 | Monday |
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