Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday has been observed since the 6th century on the Wednesday preceding the 6th Sunday before Easter. What makes this day special is the commencement of the 40-day Christian fasting period that extends until Easter. Including Good Friday and Holy Saturday, but excluding Sundays, there are exactly 40 days of fasting leading up to the highest Christian holiday commemorating the resurrection of Christ. Ash Wednesday, typically falling in February or March, marks the beginning of fasting for many Christians.

The term “Ash Wednesday” originates from an ancient tradition: on this day, penitents would scatter ashes in churches, hence the name Ash Wednesday. The distribution of ashes in the form of crosses on this day has historical records dating back to the 10th century. Ash is a symbol of impermanence, repentance, and remorse. Ash is also used as a cleansing agent and is therefore symbolic of the purification of the soul.