The Tradition of Mardi Gras King Cakes The King Cake is believed
to have originated in France around the 12th century. These
early Europeans celebrated the coming of the three wise men
bearing gifts twelve days after Christmas calling it the Feast
of the epiphany, Twelfth Night, or King's Day. The main part of
the celebration was the baking of a King’s Cake to honor the
three Kings. The cakes were made circular to portray the
circular route used by the kings to get to the Christ Child,
which was taken to confuse King Herod who was trying to follow
the wise men so he could kill the Christ Child. In these early
King Cakes a bean, pea, or coin was hidden inside the cake. The
person who got the hidden piece was declared King for the day or
was said to have good luck in the coming year. In Louisiana,
Twelfth Night also signifies the beginning of the carnival
season which ends with Mardi Gras Day. The bean, pea and the
coin have been replaced by a small plastic baby to symbolize the
Christ Child. The person who get