Ashes: A Symbol of Mourning

And Tamar put ashes on her head and tore her robe. And putting her hand on her head, she went away crying aloud.

When Mordecai learned of all that had happened, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the middle of the city, wailing loudly and bitterly.

In every province to which the king’s command and edict came, there was great mourning among the Jews. They fasted, wept, and lamented, and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.