ASH WEDNESDAY Definition & Meaning

Ash Wednesday

noun

the first day of Lent.

Ash Wednesday

noun

the first day of Lent, named from the practice of Christians of placing ashes on their heads as a sign of penitence

Ash Wednesday

The seventh Wednesday before Easter ; the first day of Lent for most Christians (see also Christian ); the day after “Fat Tuesday,” or Mardi Gras . It is frequently observed as a day of fasting and repentance for sin. In some churches , ashes are placed on the foreheads of worshipers on Ash Wednesday as a reminder of their mortality. The words of God to Adam in the Bible (see also Bible ) are often used in the ceremony: “ Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return .”

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of Ash Wednesday¹

First recorded in 1250–1300

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

A message on the X account of the 88-year-old Pope, who has been in hospital since February, was posted to mark Ash Wednesday.

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Last week, Francis coughed repeatedly as he presided over Ash Wednesday services at a Roman church, and opted not to participate in the traditional procession that inaugurates the church’s Lenten season.

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Last week, Francis coughed repeatedly during Ash Wednesday services that he presided over at a Roman church, and opted not to participate in the traditional procession that inaugurates the church’s Lenten season.

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In fact, I’m the Aunt Crabby who didn’t think we should even be holding our citywide Super Bowl street party on Ash Wednesday, when everyone knows that Fat Tuesday is the right day for revelry.

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For Mr. Diamond, a practicing Catholic, another deadline was also looming: This year, Valentine’s Day happens to fall on Ash Wednesday, customarily devoted to penitence and fasting.

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More About Ash Wednesday

What is Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the season of fasting and penitence that precedes Easter in some branches of Christianity.

Ash Wednesday gets its name from the tradition of placing ashes on worshippers’ foreheads as a sign of penitence and a reminder of their mortality.

When is Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday happens 46 days before Easter Sunday. (Lent is often considered a period of 40 days, but it actually consists of 40 weekdays.) Since Easter Sunday moves every year, Ash Wednesday can fall between February 4 and March 10.

In 2024, Ash Wednesday falls on February 14. In 2025, Ash Wednesday will fall on March 5.

More information and context on Ash Wednesday

The first records of the term Ash Wednesday come from the 1200s. The tradition of Christians having ashes placed on their forehead (often in a cross shape) on this day is based on the idea of ashes as a symbol of mortality. This theme is sometimes expressed with a specific Biblical passage: “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” The ashes in some cases come from palms used on the previous year’s Palm Sunday.

Ash Wednesday is sometimes observed as a day of fasting, though specific practices vary, with individual churches and individual Christians observing the day in different ways.

Because Lent is a time of fasting and abstaining, the period leading up to it has become, for some, a time for indulging before the Lenten fast begins. This is especially the case for the day before Ash Wednesday, which can be called Mardi Gras (or Fat Tuesday) or Shrove Tuesday (which is sometimes called Pancake Day due to the tradition of eating pancakes on that day).

What are some terms that often get used in discussing Ash Wednesday?

How is Ash Wednesday discussed in real life?

Among certain Christians, Ash Wednesday is observed as the first day first day of fasting or abstaining during Lent. For this reason, it is sometimes preceded by a day of indulging, and this tradition has become popular in some places even among non-Christians.

Today is Ash Wednesday; a day we remember our mortality; a day we remember God's love for each one of us. Let us join our prayers today to recall our sins, asking God's mercy and forgiveness.

May we all have a blessed Lent.

— San Pablo Youth Commission 💜 (@spyclaguna)

As a child the idea of where they got the ash for Ash Wednesday always fascinated me. Well I didn’t find out until today that many churches actually use the ash after burning the left over palms from Palm Sunday. How cool is that? Never be afraid to ask questions growing up!

— Jonathan (@ScroochMagooch)

We thought we would get ahead of Lent this year and eat our traditional Mardi Gras buns before it's Ash Wednesday and too late so.. (cardamom buns with almond paste, whipped cream and a dusting of sugar. May be served with hot cinnamon milk. Or tea/coffee. Fika!)

— Maria Cecilia (@MeanieMary)

Try using Ash Wednesday!

True or False?

Ash Wednesday is always the first day of Lent.

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