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 pyrotechnic birthday cake; and "Dancing with the Muses" (2011) was a parody on "Dancing with the Stars" and provided an array of dance parodies. "Muses Go Shopping, taking it to the limit 2012" provided a spoof at the Mall of the Muses - a parody of retail stores including Toys 4 Us, Wombs to Go, J Crude (highlighting the BP oil spill)and more. The 2013 Muses parade theme explored the supermarket theme, "Muses Makin' Groceries". One notable feature was a male dancer dancing in the silhouette booth for the "Meat Market" float. 2014 offered "Muses Ready To Wear You Out"