Christianity: General

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions Further reading

ashes

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | | Copyright

ashes the powdery residue left after something is burned, often taken as a symbol of mourning or penitence (as in sackcloth and ashes).

The Ashes is a trophy for the winner of a series of test matches in a cricket season between England and Australia. The name comes from a mock obituary notice published in the Sporting Times (2 September 1882), with reference to the symbolical remains of English cricket being taken to Australia after a sensational victory by the Australians at the Oval.
ashes to ashes, dust to dust a phrase from the burial service in the Book of Common Prayer, ‘we therefore commit his body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life.’
turn to ashes in one's mouth become a bitter disappointment; the allusion is to Dead Sea fruit.

See also dust and ashes, rise from the ashes.

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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "ashes." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "ashes." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-ashes.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "ashes." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-ashes.html

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Ashes

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions | 1997 | | Copyright

Ashes: see ASH.

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JOHN BOWKER. "Ashes." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Ashes." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Ashes.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Ashes." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Ashes.html

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