Ash Wednesday is an important day in the Christian calendar, marking the beginning of the religious season of Lent. On this day, believers attend church services to receive the imposition of ashes on their foreheads, which serves as a symbol of penance and a reminder of their mortality. However, despite its significance in the Christian faith, Ash Wednesday has pagan roots that can be traced back to ancient times. The practice of using ashes as a symbol of repentance and purification predates Christianity and can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. In these societies, ashes were used in various rituals to symbolize death, rebirth, and renewal. However, it was the Roman Catholic Church that adopted these pagan customs and incorporated them into the Christian tradition.
Heck no! Ash Wednesday originated in the A.D. 900’s long after Europe had been Christianized and pagan cults had all but disappeared.
In its 21st-century guise, Carnival and Mardi Gras have reverted powerfully, in practice, to a celebration of the perverse pagan behavior of primitive societies with lechery, debauchery, and perverted practices given full vent in an atmosphere of gay abandon, encouraged by local governments and businesses lacking any hold on those virtues that were once valued by Western civilization in its ascent, in particular at its apogee under the Anglo-Saxon nations. This major cultural event on the Australian social calendar evolved out of the desire of the homosexual and lesbian community to publicize their drive for community acceptance.
However, it was the Roman Catholic Church that adopted these pagan customs and incorporated them into the Christian tradition. It is believed that Pope Gregory the Great, who held office in the late sixth century, officially introduced the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday. The decision to incorporate this pagan practice was strategic, as it helped to convert pagans to Christianity by assimilating their customs into the new faith.
The pagan roots of Pancake Day and Shrove Tuesday
Our calendar year is full of a variety of festivities for both adults and children to enjoy. While some occasions may hog the limelight more than others (looking at you Christmas!), there’s nothing quite like the simple pleasures of Pancake Day – a day to flip batter into the air and overindulge in the sweet goodness of those that successfully land on your plate.
Read more about: Religion
'Remember that you are dust': The history of Ash Wednesday
Just like many of our other Christian-themed annual holidays and celebrations, the roots of Pancake Day lie in pre-Christian pagan times. So this year, before we crack the eggs and begin whisking in the flour, let’s journey back in time and uncover the surprising history of one of our sugariest traditions.
When is Pancake Day 2024?
Pancake Day always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday and so every year the date moves between February and the beginning of March. Next year, Pancake Day is 13 February 2024.
Read more about: Popular Culture
When is pancake day 2024? Why do we eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday?
by Jamie Dwelly
What is Pancake Day?
Pancake Day, also known as Shrove Tuesday, is a day when households up and down the country make pancakes and lather them with a variety of toppings, the most popular being lemon and sugar.
Why do we celebrate Pancake Day?
'Shrove' comes from the word 'shrive', meaning to confess one's sins and to be absolved. Anglo-Saxon Christians started this practice of being 'shriven' on Shrove Tuesday as the day came before Ash Wednesday. It allowed them to confess and be absolved of their sins before Lent began.
During the 40 days of Lent, Christians are encouraged to eat plainer food and avoid indulging themselves in sweet treats. And so, Shrove Tuesday became the perfect opportunity to scoff up all the rich food in the household before Ash Wednesday. The pancake was the ideal dish since it combined all those fatty ingredients and cleared out the cupboards in one fell swoop.
It’s not just us Brits who enjoy sugary treats on Shrove Tuesday. In France and other parts of the world, Pancake Day is known as Mardi Gras, which translates as 'Fat Tuesday'. The principles of the day are the same, an opportunity to eat plenty of fatty foods before making sacrifices for Lent.
Read more about: Ancient History
The Wheel of the Year: the calendar of pagan festivals explained
by James Brigden
The origins of the pancake
So now we know what Pancake Day is and why it’s marked in our Christian calendars, but the origins of the pancake itself go back to caveman times. Scientists have found evidence of 30,000-year-old grinding tools that suggest Stone Age people were making flour. Analysts suggest the flour could then have been mixed with water to make a batter, which was then baked on hot rocks. The prehistoric pancake!
In support of this theory are the stomach contents of a prehistoric iceman discovered in the Italian Alps in 1991. Otzi, as he is known, is believed to have walked this earth some 5,300 years ago. After scientists analysed his stomach contents they observed his last meal included red deer, ibex, ground einkorn wheat and charcoal. The charcoal and wheat combo might suggest he consumed the food in the form of a pancake cooked over a fire.
The Roman recipe
The next stop on the pancake history train takes us to the Ancient Greeks and Romans, both of whom were known to enjoy a pancake or two.
In an ancient Roman cookbook entitled De Re Coquinaria (‘On the subject of cooking’), the author, a man named Marcus Gavius Apicius, documents the first known recipe for pancakes.
Writing sometime during the 1st century AD, Apicius mentions a dish called 'ova spongia ex lacte' ('egg sponge with milk'). Although the recipe for this dish doesn't mention flour – a key ingredient in our modern pancakes – it is believed to be the earliest written example of a cake made in a pan, aka pancake!
Just like today, Apicius recommended it be consumed with something sweet, his main recommendation being honey.
Ancient history teaches us that this religion began at Babylon, developed in Egypt, and passed its traditions down to the Greeks and Romans. These civilizations had one thing in common. The highlights of the year on the religious calendar tended to revolve around the winter, signifying the cessation of agrarian productivity and the anticipation of spring, celebrating the renewal of fertility. The pagans created annual rites and festivals around these seasons. Rome adopted and promoted the most widely practiced of these pagan festivals and spread their practice throughout its empire under its own names. Thus the celebrations around the winter solstice became the Saturnalia and Brumalia festivals of winter, celebrated in December. The pre-spring festivals at the onset of the final lean month of winter led into the spring festival of Ishtar in Babylon, or Osiris in Egypt, signaling new birth. In between was the “love-fest” of Lupercalia.
By doing so, the Church aimed to make its teachings more relatable and familiar to the population. Furthermore, by linking the practice of imposing ashes with the start of Lent, the Church brought a new significance to this pagan ritual. Lent is a period of fasting, prayer, and self-reflection in preparation for the celebration of Easter. The imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday serves as a visible reminder of one's mortality and the need for repentance and renewal during this holy season. While the origins of Ash Wednesday may lie in ancient pagan customs, the Christian interpretation of this ritual has evolved over time. For believers, the imposition of ashes is not just a superficial act, but rather a spiritual practice that serves as a reminder of their connection to God and their commitment to living a life of faith. Despite its pagan origins, Ash Wednesday continues to hold great significance for Christians around the world as they embark on the Lenten journey of introspection, repentance, and spiritual growth..
Reviews for "Ancient Pagan Beliefs that Shaped Ash Wednesday"
1. John Smith - 1 star
I find this article completely unfounded and misleading. The author fails to provide any credible sources or evidence to support their claim that Ash Wednesday has pagan origins. It seems like nothing more than a baseless conspiracy theory. As a practicing Catholic, I can confidently say that this article does not accurately represent the true meaning and significance of Ash Wednesday in the Christian faith. I would not recommend wasting your time reading this piece.
2. Sarah Thompson - 2 stars
While the topic of exploring the origins of religious traditions can be interesting, this article falls short in providing any substantial information. The author merely makes vague assertions and fails to back them up with solid evidence. If they had provided more historical context or scholarly sources, it would have been more convincing. Instead, I was left feeling dissatisfied and unconvinced by these claims. I would suggest seeking out more reputable and well-researched sources if you genuinely want to explore the origins of Ash Wednesday.
3. Michael Johnson - 1 star
This article is nothing more than an attempt to undermine and discredit religious traditions. It is clear that the author has a biased agenda to push and is cherry-picking information to fit their narrative. As someone who respects religious diversity, I find it disappointing to come across such biased and uninformed articles. If you are genuinely interested in learning about cultural and religious practices, I would suggest seeking out more objective and well-researched sources.
4. Emily Davis - 2 stars
As an atheist, I am always open to exploring different religious practices and their historical origins. However, this article fails to provide a balanced view on the topic. The author seems determined to prove that Ash Wednesday has pagan roots without objectively presenting alternative perspectives. While there may be some historical connections, it is essential to approach the subject with an open mind and consider multiple viewpoints. Unfortunately, this article did not live up to that expectation and left me wanting more comprehensive research and analysis.
5. Robert Thompson - 1 star
I found this article to be a complete waste of time. The author spends more time speculating and making unsupported claims than providing any actual valuable information. I was hoping to learn something new about the origins of Ash Wednesday, but this article offered nothing of substance. It reads like a poorly researched blog post and does not provide any credible sources or citations. Save yourself the trouble and find a more reliable source if you want to understand the historical background of Ash Wednesday.