Lent's biggest rules and traditions ahead of the 40-day run-up to Easter
Pancake fans will be getting their griddles ready ahead of Pancake Day tomorrow, which will be followed by the first day of Lent.
In Christianity, Lent is a religious period of self-sacrifice where people give up something they enjoy- such as sweets, chocolate or alcohol- for 40 days in the lead-up to Easter Sunday, which will take place on April 20 this year.
But as we approach this period of community and self-sacrifice, what are some of the biggest rules and traditions surrounding Lent?
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Here's everything you need to know about this religious run-up to Easter.
The history of Lent
According to historians, the concept of Lent emerged shortly following the Council of Nicea as early as 325 AD.
Fasting was the main focus of Lent at this time in history. Records suggest that the fast applied at first mainly to new converts to Christianity, as a period of repentance and reflection before baptism at Easter and Lent quickly became a general practice churchwide.
Shrove Tuesday, which has become known as Pancake Day, was a chance for Christians to use up their eggs and flour ahead of fasting for Lent.
The religion-focused historical website Groundwork says: "The actual 40-day period varied region-to-region, even church-to-church; some including weekends, some not; some fasting Sundays, others not.
"But in every case, the fast was strict: one meal a day after 3PM with no meat, fish, or dairy. It was Pope Gregory I (590 - 604) who finally regularized the period of the fast churchwide, to begin on a Wednesday 46 days before Easter with a ceremony of ash, and not to include Sundays, which were perennial days of celebration.
"Other historical records indicate that a pre-Easter season of fasting, had actually been in practice already, as far back as the second century, and perhaps even earlier."
What are the rules and traditions of Lent?
In modern times, Lent is not always associated with fasting, but rather with sacrificing something for the entire period of Lent - this could be a favourite food or drink, or a bad habit such as smoking or drinking alcohol.
While these rules do not seem as strict as they were throughout history, some devoted Christians still practice fasting and other forms of self-sacrifice for Lent.
The Church of Scotland website says: "During this time [Lent], which ends on Maundy Thursday [April 17 this year], Christians may fast, engage in Bible study groups, or give up some of their usual routine to give time to personal examination and to reflect on their relationship with God."
The Catholic Church has slightly stricter rules for Lent than other branches of Christianity. On Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays of Lent, all Catholics of the age 14 and older are meant to abstain from consuming meat.
The Liturgy Office explains that Catholic rules for lent require everyone of age 18 to 59 to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday unless exempt due to a medical reason.
