| On Ash Wednesday, the morning after Mardi Gras, repentant Christians return to church to receive upon the forehead the sign of the cross in ashes | In Anglican countries, Mardis Gras is known as Shrove Tuesday-from shrive meaning "confess"-or Pancake Day"-after the breakfast food that symbolizes one final hearty meal of eggs, butter, and sugar before the fast |
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| On Mardi Gras Day, the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, the last parades of the season wrap-up and the celebrations come to a close with the Meeting of the Courts aka the Rex Ball locally |