Spiritual Meaning of Ashes

Throughout the Bible and ancient practices, ashes have often been the symbol of deep repentance and grief. As the days of Lent are acknowledged each year, we see all around us the visual reminders of ashes on foreheads, and we are reminded of this one truth: “For dust you are and to dust you will return.” Gen. 3:19

The sign of the cross, or tracing a circle or cross with ashes on the forehead, is based on an ancient ritual from the time of Jesus. The ritual is meant to show people that God is within each of us—that we, who began in the place of dust, are redeemed to the place of glory. In today’s world, many people—especially young adults—have a sense of emptiness and alienation.

The ash is a reminder that we were created in God’s image, but that all things return to where they came, and what comes from above falls back down as if under its own weight. Not exactly a nice, happy thought to get your day going. But the reality of it all sinks in deep. Because, as many of us know, life is not always “happy.” Learn about Ash Wednesday and Fasting, Ash Wednesday in the Bible.

To cover the head with ashes was a token of self-abhorrence and humiliation ( 2 Samuel 13:19 ; Esther 4:3 ; Jeremiah 6:26 , etc.). To feed on ashes ( Isaiah 44:20 ), means to seek that which will prove to be vain and unsatisfactory, and hence it denotes the unsatisfactory nature of idol worship.

Sometimes, it hurts. Sometimes, it’s hard. Sometimes, it’s dark. And it leaves its mark, like ashes of grief, in the deepest parts of our souls, where no one but God can really see.

You may understand if you’ve ever felt these ashes:

You’ve ever lost a loved one or had to say good-bye too soon, left to journey through dark days of grief, wondering if you’d ever be able to carry on without them at your side.
You’ve ever received a hard diagnosis, faced the fear of the unknown, and felt the effects of disease and pain…
You’ve ever stood at the bedside of a dying friend and held a hand that once was strong, whose life had been cut short from the ravages of cancer.
You’ve ever been to a funeral for a sweet baby or a precious child and watched endless tears flow from the hurting souls of a mama and dad.
You’ve ever been deeply wounded, betrayed, abused, or mistreated…
You’ve ever walked through the fire of hard situations and wondered if you’d come out the other side…

Yes, it’s true; life is not always happy. It’s not always easy. It deals harshly sometimes; it seems unfair, and we may wonder where God is or why He didn’t stop that difficult event or illness from happening.

Job was there too. This righteous man loved and honored God. Yet he lost everything. It crumbled around him, all he held dear. And he knew without God, he was nothing. And we find him in the beginning of the book of Job: “He sat in the ashes.” Job 2:8

Daniel was there. He and the people had suffered under captivity, he prayed to God on behalf of his people, that God would have mercy. He repented, and confessed his own sin, his deep need for Him. He knew where true strength and help came from, “Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.” Daniel 9:3

Tamar was there. She had trusted and yet was betrayed. David’s own daughter had been taken advantage of, raped, and she was left on her own, alone, with no hope for her future, to pick up the broken pieces of shattered life. “And Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the long robe that she wore. And she laid her hand on her head and went away, crying aloud as she went.” 2 Sam. 13:19

And they may have wondered too…

Where was God in it all? Where is He now? Deep grief, crime, captivity, illness, death of loved ones, shattered hope, and broken dreams?

Symbolism of Ashes

You may have seen Christians, mostly Catholics, walking around with a smear of ash on their foreheads and wondering what it means. The practice of Ash Wednesday is symbolic within the Christian church to recognize our frailty as humans. It also marks the beginning of the Lent season. Let’s take a look at the meaning of Ash Wednesday, how it’s celebrated, and it’s Biblical purpose.

What is Ash Wednesday?

While the observation of Ash Wednesday has historically been within the Catholic Church, several protestant denominations have begun to commemorate the day with similar services. In the Catholic observation of Ash Wednesday, a priest applies a smudge of ash on people’s foreheads in the shape of a cross. As it is applied, the phrase “remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” is often spoken. The ash is meant to communicate grief and sorrow over sins and repentance through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Ashes are blessed in the Church on Ash Wednesday. They are used to keep us in mind of our humble origin and of how the body of Adam, our forefather, was formed out of the slime or clay of the earth; they are also used to remind us of death, when our bodies will return to dust, and of the necessity of doing penance for our sins. These ashes are obtained by burning the blessed palms of the previous year. (The Baltimore Complete Catechism)

The symbolism of repentance and grief continues from Ash Wednesday into the Lenten season through the observation of fasting and prayer. The 40-day period of Lent between Ash Wednesday and Easter is a time to reflect on man’s sinful humanity and Jesus’s sacrifice for our sins. The 40 days also commemorate the time in which Jesus withstood temptation from the devil in the desert.

While the ashes remind us that we will die and return to the ground, if we believe in Jesus, we will be raised with him in glorious new bodies.

Ash Wednesday and Fasting

Although Ash Wednesday is enriched with Christian symbolism, we don’t actually find an instance of this particular holiday in the Bible. The holiday didn’t have a biblical origin but owing to the Council of Nicea implementing a 40-day fasting period prior to Easter, many debated as to when that period would start. In the fifth century, Pope Gregory transferred the beginning day of Lent from a Sunday to Ash Wednesday. However, the practice of fasting and prayer has strong Biblical foundations and guidelines.

While modern-day rules for Ash Wednesday and Lent fasting differ among Catholics, such as abstaining from meat on Fridays and one meatless meal a day on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, many Christians find Lent to be a valuable time of abstaining from specific foods, social media, television or other indulgences in order to focus on our need for a Savior and the sacrifice of Jesus. Just as Jesus used fasting and prayer to strengthen his faith during his temptation in the desert, we too can receive power and strength through these Biblical practices.

Symbolism of Ashes in Literature

Ash Wednesday in the Bible

While Ash Wednesday is not specifically mentioned in the Bible, the phrase “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” is commonly referenced on Ash Wednesday. The Scriptures usually referred to are from the Old Testament:

Genesis 2:7 says, “God formed man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.”

Genesis 3:19: “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust and to dust you shall return.”

Ecclesiastes 3:20: “All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.”.

The blessing of Ash Wednesday is the reminder that though we are born from dust and return to dust and that sin brought the curse of death to the world, on Good Friday Jesus paid the penalty for the curse with his death on the cross. Our sins are forgiven on the cross. Then, on Easter Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead and we have been given the gift of eternal life with Him in new heavenly bodies that will never turn to dust! Let’s look at a few scriptures that can encourage us on Ash Wednesday and throughout the Lenten season.