Today is Ash Wednesday, so I saw a lot of ash crosses on people's foreheads today. This lovely lady was a bit reluctant to let me take the photo, but she agreed in the end, and although it turned out a bit blurry I love how she turned out so I'm posting it. I haven't let her know yet, but for now here it is.
oh yes, this morning i was in the supermarket and see two women with that sign... and I realised, it's Ash wednesday! at the first time I though they had some make up or something in their fronts and made me smile..
ReplyDeleteMiércoles de ceniza, the translation in spanish
and what is this tradition about?
ReplyDeleteHaving been raised Catholic, one would think I would know this, but either I never knew or have forgotten the meaning. So I did what any modern person would do, I went to google and found the answer on wikipedia: Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. At Masses and services of worship on this day, worshipers are blessed with ashes. The forehead is marked with black ashes, in the shape of a cross, which is traditionally retained until washing it off after sundown. The symbolism echoes the ancient Near Eastern tradition of throwing ash over one's head signifying repentance before God.
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