Shrove Tuesday

Origin and history

Shrove Tuesday is the final day of Shrovetide, the days just before Lent. Its name comes from the old word shrive, meaning to forgive after confession: Christians traditionally went to church on this day to confess their sins and be 'shriven' before Lent began. Because Lent was historically a time of fasting, households used up their eggs, milk and butter beforehand, which is where the custom of pancakes comes from.

Customs

• Eating pancakes, giving the day its English nickname, Pancake Day; pancake races are run in some towns.
• Carnival celebrations, with the French name Mardi Gras, meaning 'Fat Tuesday'.
• In some churches the palms from the previous year's Palm Sunday are burned to make the ashes for Ash Wednesday.

How traditions differ

Shrove Tuesday is kept by Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists and Catholics, among others. Its date depends on the date of Easter.

More in Lent

Ash Wednesday · Lent · St Patrick's Day · St Joseph's Day · The Annunciation