Ash Wednesday origins and traditions explained from 'no meat' to solemn gesture

Shrove Tuesday has not long passed - a day when Scots will have gorged on pancakes, some in preparation for a period of abstinence ushered in by Ash Wednesday, an event observed by the Catholic and Christian Church.

Ash Wednesday is today, Wednesday, March 5, and marks the start of Lent, a period of fasting that lasts until Easter Sunday - a celebration of Jesus Christ's resurrection. But what does the day actually entail?

Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, an observance deeply rooted in Christian faith, most notably among Catholics. This time of penitence draws inspiration from ancient pagan customs and is characterised by six weeks of abstinence and fasting.

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The term 'Lent' is believed to originate from the Anglo-Saxon word 'Lencten', reflecting the lengthening of days during spring. The day and period of Lent is mostly commonly associated with the "40 days and 40 nights" reference from the Bible, in which Jesus spent in the desert fasting and resisting temptation by the devil.

While often described as lasting "40 days and 40 nights", Lent actually spans 46 days. This is because Sundays are not counted in the 40-day period between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.

On Ash Wednesday, worshippers receive a cross of ashes on their foreheads during Mass, symbolising contrition for their sins. The ashes are crafted from the incinerated palm leaves distributed during Palm Sunday the previous year.

Palm leaves are used because Christians believe Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem greeted by followers spreading palm leaves under his feet.

During the Ash Wednesday observance, a priest anoints worshippers with these ashes, accompanying the gesture with the words: "You are dust and to dust you shall return."

On Ash Wednesday, many Catholics avoid meat consumption and often forgo one meal, embracing this tradition of discipline and reflection.

Catholics aged 14 and over are required to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday in Scotland. Catholics aged 18 to 59 are also required to fast, unless they have a medical reason.

The Diocese of Paisley advises "some form of penance" to be undertaken every Friday after Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday arrives.

"In the past this was traditionally observed through abstinence," the Diocese explained. "For those able to do so, perhaps a Friday penance that includes fast and abstinence could be part of our Lenten discipline."

The Diocese, and many others across the country, encourages parishioners to observe Lent by going to Mass more often, praying the Stations of the Cross, fasting and self-denial, and donations to charity.

As fasting is prohibited on Sundays, these days are set aside as permanent feast days to celebrate Jesus's triumph over sin and death.

The history of Ash Wednesday is far-reaching. Originally, Lent served as a period for Christians to prepare for Easter baptism, with fasting limited to a day or two. This practice persisted for centuries before evolving into a stricter observance from the 4th century onwards.

By the mid-1200s, Italy's St Thomas Aquinas popularised a longer fast, marking Ash Wednesday and Good Friday as "black fasts" where no food was consumed. On other days, eating was only permitted after 3pm, believed to be the hour of Jesus' death according to the gospels.

The date of Ash Wednesday fluctuates each year, falling either in late February or early March, depending on the date of Easter Sunday, which this year falls on April 20.

Celebrities who take part in Ash Wednesday include Braveheart star Mel Gibson and acclaimed actor Mark Wahlberg, as well as iconic musicians like Madonna, Lady Gaga, and U2's frontman Bono.

Famous Scottish faces get involved, too. Last year, Deacon Blue took to the streets of Glasgow to ask people to show their love for some of the world’s poorest people on Ash Wednesday.

Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh are supporters of the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF). The couple helped the group launch its annual “Wee Box, Big Change” appeal, which raises funds for its work in Africa, Asia and Latin America.