feathers are not used in the streets, and are said to represent the human ability to rise above difficulties and strife, or travel to another world of rebirth and adorn the show with an additional slice of the spectacular.

aside from the parade, street parties, known as blocos, are important aspects of carnival of bringing new styles to the fantasias, with a carioca twists - first emerging in the late nineteenth century, the blocos were designed for everyday cariocas, with less concern for the official themes of carnival.

most costumes used in the blocos were homemade, often focusing on irony and sarcasm to address the most current social or political issues - not all of the costumes are socially or politically inspired, as there is no requirement of uniformity, bringing together a beautiful assortment of different styles.