5 German Carnival traditions with surprising origins
Germany is celebrating its so-called "fifth season" with more than a few odd customs, many of which date back centuries. Here are five such traditions, including snipped ties and men dressed up as virgins.
Rose Monday Parade
The Cologne parade, the "Zoch," dates back to the Prussians, who were so taken aback by local excesses on Rose Monday in the early 19th century that they founded a committee to give the chaos a semblance of order. In 1823, the first planned and orderly Rose Monday parade marched around one of the city's major squares. Today, the hours-long event draws a million revelers from near and far.
Blonde, braided male virgin
In Cologne, the trinity of Carnival rulers, the prince, the peasant and the virgin - also called "your loveliness" - are portrayed by men, and always have been. Beards and mustaches have been banned for those playing the virgin, however. Even if women are much more visible in today's Carnival celebrations, people love the fact that the virgin, blowing kisses left and right, is in reality a man.
Chopped ties
Initially, women weren't allowed to participate in the fun. Legend has it that a group of women near Bonn founded a ladies' committee in 1824 and decided to take revenge. Ever since, women have been snipping off men's ties on the Thursday before Rose Monday, on Weiberfastnacht ("Women's Carnival"). On that day, German men try to avoid leaving the house wearing their favorite silk tie.
Straw bears
The straw costumes seen above have been a part of the Carnival, or Fastnacht, tradition in parts of southern Germany since the Middle Ages. The meaning of the straw bear is not clear: some say it symbolizes a dancing bear, others argue it symbolizes evil and disaster. Perhaps the straw costumes were a form of punishment - they look quite uncomfortable.
Pig bladders
Inflated pigs' bladders, known as "Saublodern," are another odd Carnival accessory, also part of the southern German tradition. Revelers elaborately dressed as jesters wield the bladders hung on a stick to tease people and create a general commotion. Historians say the bladders symbolize Christian mortal sins like vanity and lust.