What is Ash Wednesday?

Although a lot of people talk about the names of certain days in the calendar, not many people know the answer to the question ‘What is Ash Wednesday?‘. We hope to be able to give you a little information on Ash Wednesday, and let you be the envy of all your friends!

First of all, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Lent is a 40 day (not including Sundays) time period where people of the Christian faith repent for their sins – generally by restricting their lifestyles. This could mean giving up smoking, giving up drinking, giving up eating candy or maybe just being nice.

What is Ash Wednesday?

The name Ash Wednesday originates from the practice of believers putting ashes on their forehead in a cross symbol to show their faith. The ashes symbolize the dust from which people were created, and to which one day they will return.

Some people wonder ‘When is Ash Wednesday?’. Obviously, it is today – but it is a movable feast (which means the date can change on any year, but obviously it will always be on a Wednesday!).

In the past, dusting yourself in ashes was a way of showing repentance for sins and to ask for forgiveness. In Victorian England, several theatres would refuse to show different forms of entertainment on Ash Wednesday, as a way of adhering to the Christian belief system. Now, however, you will find every cinema open all day!

Now you know the answer to the question ‘What is Ash Wednesday’, it’s time to spread the word to all of your friends!