During the Carnival of Binche, Gilles traditionally throw oranges.
The Gilles are the principal traditional participants in the Carnival of Binche, held in Binche in Wallonia, Belgium, on the Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. On Shrove Tuesday, they parade in distinctive costumes and carry baskets of oranges, which they toss to spectators or into the crowd.
The orange-throwing is meant as a cheerful gift rather than an act of hostility. Receiving an orange is traditionally considered good luck, and throwing one back can be viewed as insulting because it rejects the Gille’s gift. The custom can be vigorous enough to damage windows, so some residents protect or seal them during the parade.
Gilles wear padded costumes in red, yellow, and black, wooden clogs, bells, and wax masks. Later in the day, many wear large hats decorated with ostrich feathers. The carnival’s documented history reaches back to 1394, and UNESCO recognized it in 2003 as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The oranges are sometimes specifically described as blood oranges.