<P> Ashes were used in ancient times to express grief . When Tamar was raped by her half - brother , `` she sprinkled ashes on her head , tore her robe , and with her face buried in her hands went away crying '' ( 2 Samuel 13 : 19 ) . The gesture was also used to express sorrow for sins and faults . In Job 42 : 3 -- 6 , Job says to God : `` I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear : but now mine eye seeth thee . Wherefore I abhor myself , and repent in dust and ashes . '' The prophet Jeremiah calls for repentance by saying : `` O daughter of my people , gird on sackcloth , roll in the ashes '' ( Jer 6 : 26 ) . The prophet Daniel recounted pleading to God : `` I turned to the Lord God , pleading in earnest prayer , with fasting , sackcloth and ashes '' ( Daniel 9 : 3 ) . Just prior to the New Testament period , the rebels fighting for Jewish independence , the Maccabees , prepared for battle using ashes : `` That day they fasted and wore sackcloth ; they sprinkled ashes on their heads and tore their clothes '' ( 1 Maccabees 3 : 47 ; see also 4 : 39 ) . </P>
<P> Ashes were used in ancient times to express grief . When Tamar was raped by her half - brother , `` she sprinkled ashes on her head , tore her robe , and with her face buried in her hands went away crying '' ( 2 Samuel 13 : 19 ) . The gesture was also used to express sorrow for sins and faults . In Job 42 : 3 -- 6 , Job says to God : `` I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear : but now mine eye seeth thee . Wherefore I abhor myself , and repent in dust and ashes . '' The prophet Jeremiah calls for repentance by saying : `` O daughter of my people , gird on sackcloth , roll in the ashes '' ( Jer 6 : 26 ) . The prophet Daniel recounted pleading to God : `` I turned to the Lord God , pleading in earnest prayer , with fasting , sackcloth and ashes '' ( Daniel 9 : 3 ) . Just prior to the New Testament period , the rebels fighting for Jewish independence , the Maccabees , prepared for battle using ashes : `` That day they fasted and wore sackcloth ; they sprinkled ashes on their heads and tore their clothes '' ( 1 Maccabees 3 : 47 ; see also 4 : 39 ) . </P>
why do we get ashes on ash wed
why do we get ashes on ash wed
to express grief
to express grief