What do ashes on Ash Wednesday signify?

Answer 1

The ashes are burnt from the palms of the past year's Palm Sunday and they represent the sin that we have and the death that we will face (as in "for dust thou art and unto dust thou shalt return" Genesis 3:19). That sounds really morbid, but it's a way to begin and prepare yourself for the season of Lent, remembering sins and the redemption that has been given to us all.

Answer 2

The ashes represent a number of things. They are a reminder that we are mortals and will die - 'Remember man that you were dust and to dust you shall return.' The ashes are also a symbol of penance. In ancient times people would sprinkle themselves with ashes when they were doing penance. During Lent we should take time to examine our lives and look for areas where we need to improve. We should also do some form of sacrifice or penance such as giving up something we enjoy doing or performing acts of charity.

Answer 3

Ashes are a reminder that "thou art dust and unto duct thou shall return.

Answer 4

The ASHES show that we have all sinned.

Answer 5

Ash and sackcloth were used by the Jews as a sign of serious repentence, and the christians applied ash on their foreheads on ash Wednesday.

Answer 6

because the palm trees are burnt so the ashes can be put on religious peoples foreheads.

Answer 7

The Ashes on Ash Wednesday represent the dirt from which God made us and to which we shall return upon our death. They are made from burning the palms from the previous Palm Sunday.