We march in balance and triumph this Twelfth Night #17

Posted on by

New Orleans prop of the cathedral in Orléans, France. Photo by Gary H. Jones

As we embark on our 17th procession, featuring our local seventeen-year-old Joan of Arc, we embrace the number seventeen–the age Joan was when she went off to battle. 
 
In medieval times, the number 17 represented good fortune, victory, and perfection, largely due to the combined symbolism of the individual digits 1 (new beginnings) and 7 (spiritual completeness). 
 
The number remains powerful in modern numerology: 17 is celebrated for its unique blend of practicality and spirituality, symbolizing good fortune, resilience, and success. It combines the grounded power of 1 and the intuitive wisdom of 7, making it a number of balance and triumph. It also adds up to the powerful number of 8, whose symmetrical shape symbolizes karmic and material balance. When turned on its side, the 8 resembles the infinity symbol, further reinforcing the concept of limitless potential.
 
Tonight, we celebrate the limitless potential of love, creativity, and community connection. Tonight, we walk in honor of the fallen and shine a light on their souls’ legacies.  They were celebrating what they thought was a new beginning on New Year’s Eve. Let us continue to spread their love and light. 
 
Let us consider this night of the Epiphany and Joan’s birthday as a new start to the New Year. 
 
Our 2025 Maid of Honor’s first name is Life.  With her leading us, we will restart the New Year together, with life, love, and peace. 
 
We are an Army of Artists: we battle the darkness with the power of beauty. With our hands and hearts, our voices and our smiles, we move through the streets of the French Quarter with brightness and boldness.  
 
Joan of Arc said, “All battles are first won or lost in the mind.”  Let our minds be triumphantly focused, joyful, and strong. 
 
Together, we will triumph over the darkness!
 
Here’s to #17. 

Start at Decatur and French Market Place, continue on Decatur to Dumaine Street (pause to sing Happy Birthday at the Joan of Arc statue), right on Dumaine, left onto Chartres, continue down Chartres with a stop at Saint Louis Cathedral for the sword blessing ceremony, stop at Conti Historic New Orleans Collection balcony for toasts, left on Bienville, left on Decatur, stop at Oscar Dunn Park sidewalk amphitheater for king cake ceremony, continue down Decatur/S. Peters back to French Market.REVISED ROUTE AND LATER 8 P.M. START TIME FOR JOAN OF ARC PARADE 2025

*****Detailed instructions for krewe members about line-up*****

Note: We’ve added extra, trained, more visible security volunteers in blue sweatshirts this year.

Key points to tell the public:

  • Starts at 8 p.m. and ends around 9:45 p.m. (Always January 6th!) Check the route map for details.
  • The king cake ceremony will be a ceremonial stop
    • NEW THIS YEAR!  The PUBLIC is invited to fill the amphitheater risers, where they can enjoy an excellent view of the king cake ceremony and the entire parade. The public is invited to bring king cake or purchase king cake from Bon’s New Orleans Street Food Cafe next to the park, and take their first bite with us during our king cake ceremony! We are excited that Bon’s has agreed to stock king cakes to sell to the crowd.
    • NEW THIS YEAR! Following the king cake ceremony, the parade will continue back to the French Market, passing the statue for a second time on the S. Peters side around 9:45.
  • Route details for the public