Why do people put ashes on their foreheads ?

Question

when they celebrate Ash Wednesday? What is the significance?

Answer 1

Itz gud 4 de skin.

Answer 2

It signifies the beginning of Lent ... Of repentance and contemplation for the next 40 days.  As the ash is applied, the 'clergy' say something like  "From dust you came, to dust you will return"

Answer 3

Only Catholics do that dear. Not Christians.. God bless

Answer 4

Strictly a Catholic practice. Perhaps coming from the prophet that sat in and covered himself with ashes (Jonah) when the people he was to warn actually repented.

Answer 5

It signifies "I was "Burned" by Religion"!

Answer 6

Ashes signify repentance.

"Woe to you, Chorazin! woe to you, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes." (Matthew 11:21)

Answer 7

to show that we came from ashes and will return to ashes

Answer 8

Seriously, when you can buy an ashtray at any Target in America...