Ash Wednesday is a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations. A significant day in the Christian liturgical calendar, it marks the first day of Lent—the six weeks of penitence leading up to Easter—with an emphasis on repentance, prayer, and fasting. This season often includes both personal and communal confession.

On Ash Wednesday, many Christians attend church services where they receive a mark of ashes on their foreheads in the shape of a cross. The ashes are typically made by burning the palms from the previous year’s Palm Sunday. This symbol serves as a reminder of human mortality and repentance.

The phrase often spoken during the ritual is, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” reflecting the idea that life is temporary; encouraging self-reflection and humility.