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Fasching and Karneval, Grüss Gott.

One of the things both Fasching and Karneval have in common is that they are both very loud and raucous. The reasons for all this commotion, however, are different: the fools of Fasching used to think the more they jumped around and made noise, the more they would scare away the evil spirits of winter; the fools of the Karneval on the other hand simply want to be merry and enjoy the last three days before Lent in an exuberant, boisterous and frolicsome manner. "Anything goes" during these three days last before "Aschermittwoch" (Ash Wednesday). The people wanted to "live it up" to make up for the austerity of Lent. Well, the austerity of Lent has certainly decreased, but the "living it up" lingers on nonetheless.

Karneval is particularly popular in the big cities along the Rhine, notably Mainz, Koeln and Duesseldorf, the three "Hochburgen" (citadels) of the Karneval; but each little town in Bavaria has some celebration or another. The main figures of the Karneval traditionally are the clown, ("living it up" and "clowning around" go hand in hand) and the various figures dressed in extremely fancy costumes of the 18th and 19th century royalty, namely the Prinz and his court.

For many centuries, there had already been intensive Karneval merrymaking along the Rhine (Rheinische Karneval), mostly perpetuated by the craftsmen and their guilds. However, from 1794 to 1800 during the revolutionary wars (French Revolution) when the Rhineland was occupied by French troops, most of these celebrations were forbidden. After 1801 they were permitted again and in fact the soldiers, even the French soldiers from across the Rhine, were invited to march along in the parades. They took the place of the craft men's guilds and formed the "Karneval Garden" (Garden = troops). This explains why, next to the Prinz and his court with all their fancy outfits, there are so many groups that are dressed in the 18th and 19th century military uniforms. Only today they don't carry muskets but rather musical instruments. "Funkenmariechen" -as the top dancing girl in Kîln is named every year - this is an honor and the girl is elected, but it also helps to have a wealthy father- Funkenmariechen also wears this type of 19th century military uniform, as do all the other dancing girls in the numerous Karneval Clubs. Originally, during wars and in the military, these girls used to accompany the troops and provided "entertainment." Hence their presence also in the Karneval tradition.

The number eleven is traditionally associated with Karneval. The season officially begins at 11 seconds after 11 minutes after the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month each year and the Prince's Council (der Elver-Rat) consists of eleven members. This Elverrat invites to a number of Prunksitzungen (Elaborate Sessions) where various issues are discussed and decided. During this time various speakers are invited to give presentations "in der Boett", a huge barrel, representing the "Pulpit of the Fool." In some cities the mayor of the town is required to symbolically turn over the "key to the city hall" to the Prinz, for "Die Drei Tollen Tage" (the three crazy days) belong to the "Prinz of Fools," and he reigns.

The Monday before Ash Wednesday is called "Rosenmontag", but the name has nothing to do with roses. The prefix "Rosen" is a corruption of the German word "rasen", which means "to rave and act up." In earlier days the term was "Rasender Montag" or "Raving Monday." It goes along with the merrymaking and with "living it up."