Ash Wednesday has arrived, and Lent 2025 has officially begun. For millions of Christians around the world, this marks the beginning of a spring tradition in honor of Jesus Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Here’s what to know about Lent and why Christians observe it.

What is Lent? How long is Lent?

Lent is a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and reflection observed by many Christians in preparation for Easter. This represents the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting and praying in the desert before starting his public ministry.

During Lent, many believers give up certain luxuries — such as sweets, specific foods, social media or alcohol — as a form of self-discipline. Others take on new spiritual practices, like daily prayer or acts of charity. Sundays are not traditionally counted in the 40 days, as they are considered days of celebration rather than fasting.

When is the first day of Lent 2025?

The 40-day period of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which this year falls on March 5, 2025.

What is the meaning of Ash Wednesday?

During Ash Wednesday, ashes are placed on a worshipper’s forehead in the shape of the cross. This represents that a person belongs to Jesus Christ and that a person is grieving and morning for their sins.

When is the first Sunday of Lent 2025?

The first Sunday of Lent, called Quadragesima Sunday or Invocabit Sunday, is after Ash Wednesday on March 9, 2025.

Why do people eat fish on Fridays during Lent?

Those observing Lent typically refrain from eating flesh meat on Ash Wednesday and each Friday of Lent. Flesh meat includes beef, pork, chicken and turkey. Fish are not considered flesh meat, so many will replace flesh meat with fish for Friday meals. This is done to honor Jesus sacrificing his flesh on Good Friday, according to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis.

Non-flesh products, like milk, cheese, butter and eggs, are not prohibited during Lent.

Fasting during Lent represents the fasting Jesus did while in the desert.

“Abstinence is a form of penance. Penance expresses sorrow and contrition for our wrongdoing, indicates our intention to turn away from sin and turn back to God,” the Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis shared on its website.

When is Palm Sunday 2025?

Palm Sunday is April 13, 2025. It signals the beginning of Holy Week, the last week of Lent. It also represents the day Jesus entered Jerusalem waving palm branches.

When is Good Friday 2025?

Good Friday is celebrated on the Friday before Easter and marks the day Jesus was crucified and died. This year, it is observed on April 18, 2025.

When is Easter 2025?

Easter falls on the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox. It is also called Resurrection Sunday and is celebrated as the day Jesus was resurrected from the dead.

This year, Easter Sunday is April 20, 2025.

— USA TODAY contributed to this report.