Muses (sacred poetry) is often seen with a pensive expression; Terpsichore (choral dance and song) is often seen dancing and carrying a lyre; Thalia (comedy) is often seen with a comic mask; and Urania (astronomy) carries a pair of compasses and the celestial globe. Greek "mousa" is a common noun as well as a type of goddess: it literally means "art" or "poetry". According to Pindar, to "carry a "mousa"" is "to excel in the arts". The word derives from the Indo-European root "men-", which is also the source of Greek "Mnemosyne" and "mania", English "mind", "mental" and "monitor", Sanskrit "mantra"
Krewe of Muses optic shoe. Past year's Honorary Muses have included Brenda Marie Osbey (the Poet Laureate of the State of Louisiana), New Orleans-based jazz singer Charmaine Neville; Cherise Harrison Nelson, Becky Allen, Mary Matalin, Liz McCartney (co-founder of the St. Bernard Project), Patricia Clarkson, and Ruby Bridges. Bands that have marched with the Muses' parade have included the St. Augustine High School Marching 100, The Ninth Ward Marching Band and the Revolutionary Snake Ensemble. The Krewe of Muses parade has also featured dance troops such as the Pussy Footers, the 610 Stompers and the Camel Toe Lady Steppers. The theme of the