Joshua Bennett
The practice of wearing ashes on the forehead on Ash Wednesday is observed by Christians of the Catholic, Lutheran, Moravian, Anglican (Episcopalian), and United Protestant denominations, as well as by some churches in the Reformed, Baptist, Methodist, and Nazarene traditions. The ashes are applied to the forehead in the shape of a cross, though they may also be sprinkled over the crown of the head. The earliest recorded instance of Catholics putting ashes on their foreheads dates back to the 8th century, as found in the Gregorian Sacramentary, though it is likely a much older tradition. The practice is rooted in the Old Testament, where ashes were used as a sign of repentance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Religion | Catholics, Lutherans, Moravians, Anglicans (Episcopalians), Methodists, Presbyterians, and Congregationalists |
| Day of the Year | Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent |
| History | The practice dates back to at least the 8th century, but it is likely much older |
| Symbolism | Mourning, grief, and repentance |
| Purpose | To remind Christians of their mortality and to prepare for Holy Week |
| Application | Ashes are typically applied to the forehead in the shape of a cross, but may also be sprinkled on top of the head |
| Scripture | "Remember, man, that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return" (Genesis 3:19) |
| Intentions | Jesus advised against being ostentatious about sacrifices and penances, so the intention behind wearing ashes is important |
| Visibility | There is no rule about how long to keep ashes visible, but some leaders recommend keeping them on the forehead for the day as a profession of faith |
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What You'll Learn
The practice of wearing ashes is rooted in the Old Testament
The practice of wearing ashes is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. It is a sign of mourning, grief, and humility. In the Old Testament, biblical figures like Job, David, Mordecai, and the Ninevites wore sackcloth and ashes to express their sorrow and repent for their sins. For instance, in the Book of Job, after losing his family and wealth, Job sat in ashes and tore his robes as a sign of mourning (Job 2:8, Job 42:6). In another instance, when Mordecai learned about Haman's decree to kill all the Jewish people, he expressed his grief by putting on sackcloth and ashes and crying bitterly (Esther 4).
The practice of wearing ashes continued during the earthly ministry of Jesus and into the early Church. Jesus alluded to this tradition when teaching about repentance: "For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes" (Matthew 11:21). Church leaders in the early Church, such as Tertullian and Eusebius, documented the use of sackcloth and ashes in public acts of penance.
The wearing of ashes is also mentioned in the writings of the prophet Jeremiah: "Thus says the Lord... O daughter of my people, gird on sackcloth, and roll in ashes; make mourning as for an only son, most bitter lamentation; for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us" (6:22-26). This practice served as an outward expression of inner turmoil and a reminder of human mortality and the transient nature of earthly life.
The use of ashes as a symbol of mourning and repentance continued into the Middle Ages, becoming a central element in marking the start of Lent. By wearing ashes, individuals acknowledged their sins and sought forgiveness from God.
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Ashes are a sign of penance and mourning
> Thus says the Lord... O daughter of my people, gird on sackcloth, and roll in ashes; make mourning as for an only son, most bitter lamentation; for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us.
The practice of wearing ashes on the forehead is specifically associated with Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent and the onset of a period of fasting and abstinence from meat. The ashes are applied to the forehead in the shape of a cross, with the priest saying, "Remember, man, that you are dust, and to dust you shall return," a phrase derived from Genesis 3:19. This ritual is believed to be a reminder of our own mortality and a call to turn away from sin and towards God.
While the practice of wearing ashes on the forehead is most commonly associated with Catholicism, it is also observed by Christians of various denominations, including Lutheran, Moravian, Anglican, Methodist, Reformed, Baptist, and Nazarene traditions. The manner of imposing ashes varies within these traditions, with some sprinkling them over the head or marking them on the forehead, depending on local customs and interpretations.
Although wearing ashes is a public display, it is important to remember that Jesus emphasized the importance of sincerity and humility in our religious practices. The act of wearing ashes should be done with the right intentions and not as a way to exhibit piety or seek attention.
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Jesus wore sackcloth and ashes when he upbraided people who refused to repent
The practice of wearing sackcloth and ashes is a common penitential practice throughout the Old Testament. In the Bible, wearing sackcloth and sprinkling ashes on oneself was a sign of repentance for sin, mourning, and/or repentance. The first mention of sackcloth and ashes is found in the book of Genesis in a story about sibling rivalry and jealousy. Jacob mourned the loss of his favourite son Joseph after his siblings sold him into slavery and lied that a wild animal had killed him. Jacob put on sackcloth and dumped ashes on his head, refusing to be comforted and saying, "For I shall go down into the grave to my son in mourning."
Sackcloth was a coarse material usually made of black goat's hair, making it uncomfortable to wear. The ashes signified desolation and ruin. When someone died, the act of putting on sackcloth showed heartfelt sorrow for the loss of that person. For instance, David mourned the death of Abner, the commander of Saul's army (2 Samuel 3:31). Jacob also demonstrated his grief by wearing sackcloth when he thought his son Joseph had been killed (Genesis 37:34). These instances of mourning for the dead mention sackcloth but not ashes. Ashes accompanied sackcloth in times of national disaster or repenting from sin.
The wearing of ashes is also mentioned in the writings of the prophet Jeremiah: "Thus says the Lord... O daughter of my people, gird on sackcloth, and roll in ashes; make mourning as for an only son, most bitter lamentation; for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us" (6:22-26).
Jesus said that if some of the most wicked cities in the world had seen Him, they would have repented. Because such cities as Capernaum, Chorazin, and Bethsaida saw Jesus and didn’t repent, their punishment would be greater. However, there is no guideline for the wearing of ashes in the New Testament. Jesus tells his followers:
> “And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matt. 6:16-18).
On Ash Wednesday, Catholics apply ashes to their foreheads in the shape of a cross. This is done as a 'new beginning' at the onset of Lent, allowing the life of Jesus Christ to make them whole and new again.
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The imposition of ashes is not a matter of theatrics
The ashes are applied to the forehead in the shape of a cross, or sprinkled on top of the head, and are accompanied by the words: "Remember, man, that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return", a quote from the Book of Genesis. This practice serves as a reminder of mortality and the transience of the world, and marks the beginning of Lent, a period of preparation and sacrifice leading up to Easter.
While some may view the visible ashes as a form of exhibitionism, the intention behind the practice is not to draw attention to oneself, but rather to bear witness to one's faith and to publicly profess one's Christianity. The ashes serve as a reminder of one's own sinfulness and the need for repentance, and are meant to be a humbling experience.
The imposition of ashes is a solemn ceremony, and while there is no obligation to keep them on one's forehead for a specific duration, many Christian leaders encourage followers to wear them throughout the day as an exercise of religious freedom and a means to bear witness to their faith.
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The practice of wearing ashes is not exclusive to Catholics
The wearing of ashes has its roots in the Old Testament, where it was a Jewish penitential practice. For example, in the book of Jonah, the King of Nineveh puts on sackcloth and sits in ashes when Jonah prophesies the destruction of the city. Over forty passages in the Bible associate ashes with mourning and grief. In Old Testament times, people used ashes as a sign of repentance, sprinkling them on their heads or rolling around in them.
On Ash Wednesday, Christians from various denominations participate in the ceremonial placement of ashes on their heads. The ashes are either sprinkled over their heads or marked on their foreheads in the shape of a cross. This ritual symbolizes a new beginning at the onset of Lent, allowing Christians to reflect on their faith and prepare for the upcoming Holy Week.
While there is no mandatory rule regarding the duration of wearing ashes, some Christian leaders encourage followers to keep the ashes visible throughout the day as a public profession of their faith. However, individuals are advised to remove the ashes if they become an ugly stain or deteriorate during the day. The decision to leave the ashes on or wash them off is ultimately left to personal discretion, with the understanding that externalizing one's faith is important.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Christians of the Lutheran, Moravian, Anglican (Episcopalian), and United Protestant denominations also observe Ash Wednesday by putting ash on their foreheads.
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, which is a preparation for Easter. The ash is a reminder of the origin of sinfulness and a call to "turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel".
Priests say one of two possible formulas: "Repent and believe in the Gospel" or "Remember that you are dust, and to dust, you shall return".
The practice of wearing ash goes back thousands of years. In the Old Testament, people used ash as a sign of repentance. They sat in ash, rolled around in them, sprinkled them on their heads, and mixed them with their food and drink.
The cross is a reminder of the sacrifice of the New Adam, who came to wash away the mark of our sins in His own Blood.
