When I was a child, we had a fasting tradition. After Carnaval, my sister and I would gather all the candies and cookies we received and put them in a jar. My mother would store it in the living room closet, and for forty days, we eagerly awaited Easter, when we could finally open the jar and indulge in the treats we’d saved. But every year, we were met with the same disappointment—the cookies had gone stale and tasted awful. Eventually, we decided we didn’t want to continue the tradition.
Growing up in the seventies, we had time on our side. Even our parents, born in the late 1920s, began to recognize that this custom might be a bit outdated. But it makes me wonder—where did this tradition come from? Why do people give up sweets and meat as they prepare for the arrival of spring?
What Does the Word Lent Mean?
The word Lent has roots in several languages, each highlighting an aspect of this sacred period. In Dutch, the word for spring is lente, which shares a similar origin to Lent. The English word Lent comes from the Old English term lencten, referring to the lengthening of the days as spring approaches—symbolizing growth, light, and renewal.
In Latin, the period is called Quadragesima, meaning forty days. This designation emphasizes the significance of the number forty, which has long been associated with times of trial, purification, and spiritual preparation. The number forty appears throughout religious and mythological traditions, such as the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert, Moses’ 40 days on Mount Sinai, and the 40 years the Israelites wandered in the desert. In this context, Lent can be seen as a time of spiritual renewal—a period to prepare oneself for both the resurrection of spring and, in Christian tradition, the resurrection of Christ.
Why is Lent Forty Days?
Lent emerged after the Council of Nicea (325 AD) and evolved from earlier shorter fasts. It reflects the 40 days Jesus spent fasting and facing temptation in the desert. According to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus entered the desert for forty days, where he was tempted by the devil.
In Jungian psychology, numbers often hold profound symbolic meaning, resonating with both personal and collective psychological development. The number forty carries special significance in many cultures and religious traditions, often representing periods of transformation, purification, or testing. For example, the 40-day period of Lent mirrors this theme of a transformative journey. Jungian psychology sees significant numbers like forty as moments for psychological deepening and individuation, an essential part of the journey toward self-realization.
Jung recognized that numbers like 10, 12, 13, 14, 28, 32, and 40 possess a particular numinosity—special significance that goes beyond simple counting. The number forty often appears as a period of trial and transformation, from Jesus’ 40 days in the desert to the Israelites’ 40 years in the wilderness. In this way, Lent serves as a time for both spiritual and psychological renewal, inviting us to embrace transformation and growth in preparation for new beginnings.
How Does Lent Work?
Carnival is a time for celebration and fun, but Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent—a time of reflection and sacrifice. On this day, people go to church to receive an ash cross on their forehead as a reminder of their mortality and the need for repentance. When I was young, this practice had already faded, and I really regretted it. As a child, I longed for nothing more than to walk around with a dramatic ash cross on my forehead!
From that point on, the tradition of Lent involves giving up certain indulgences—no meat, no alcohol, and no sweets—though exceptions are made for the elderly or those who are ill. Lent is meant to be a time of turning inward, a period to reflect on one’s relationship with the divine spark. It is a time to prepare for renewal, which is symbolically reborn at Easter (Click to read more).
Are Lent and Ramadan Similar?
Lent and Ramadan are both sacred seasons of repentance and spiritual reflection observed in Christianity and Islam, respectively. While they share similarities, such as fasting and prayer, they also have distinct practices and meanings. Lent, which lasts 40 days, is a time for Christians to reflect on Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the desert, symbolizing purification and preparation for Easter. It traditionally involves fasting from certain indulgences like meat, alcohol, and sweets. Ramadan, on the other hand, is a month-long observance where Muslims fast from food and water from sunrise to sunset, while also increasing their devotion through prayer, reading the Quran, and almsgiving. Ramadan commemorates the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad, and it emphasizes compassion, mercy, and social justice.
Both seasons invite adherents to seek spiritual renewal, to reflect on their relationship with God, and to renew their commitment to following a righteous path. Though Lent and Ramadan stem from different religious traditions, they share a common call to turn away from “crooked roads” and towards the divine, making these periods a time of both personal and communal transformation. As Abrahamic religions, Christianity and Islam both emphasize the importance of pilgrimage—whether literal, as in the case of the Hajj during Ramadan, or spiritual, as Christians journey through Lent towards Easter. Despite their differences, the spiritual practices during Lent and Ramadan serve to deepen the faith of followers and foster a sense of unity and mutual respect between the two traditions.
Conclusion: Lent, a Time of Reflection and Renewal
Lent, with its 40-day period of fasting, reflection, and repentance, offers Christians an opportunity to spiritually prepare for Easter. While its practices have evolved over time, it remains a powerful season of transformation, marked by self-discipline, renewal, and the pursuit of inner growth. Just as the number 40 carries significance in many religious and spiritual traditions, it invites believers to reflect on their journey, drawing closer to their faith and to the divine. Whether through fasting or acts of kindness, Lent offers a time for personal introspection and transformation, aligning with the spirit of renewal found in both Christian and Islamic traditions. Despite the differences in their observances, the spiritual journeys of Lent and Ramadan remind us of our shared commitment to growth, repentance, and connection to something greater than ourselves.
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