Carnival revelers celebrate Rose Monday

The Springerzug, literally 'jumping parade', is an interpretation of carnival tradition particular to Herbstein. Rose Monday is the highpoint of the annual carnival in the region between Mainz, Cologne and Dusseldorf, where carnival has been an annual tradition since 1823 and celebrates free-spirited merrymaking before the beginning of Lent. (Photos by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images)