As you know, some stable phrases contain information about various folk traditions that they have committed or are still doing today. These include the expression "sprinkle ashes on the head." In this article, we will examine what it means, how it appeared, where, when, and why it is used in speech and whether it is possible to choose synonymous phrases for it.
“Sprinkle the head with ashes”: the meaning of phraseology
The interpretation of the expression is to grieve greatly because of the misfortune that has happened, the loss of valuable. That's what it means to sprinkle ashes on your head. This expression conveys deep grief at loss, distress. For example, if there was some great grief, whether it was the death of a loved one or another major loss.
Literally stable expressions should not be taken. To understand their meaning, it is necessary to consider the etymology of the phrase. With its help, the expression takes on meaning and becomes understandable.
The history of the origin of this phraseology
To find out where this steady phrase came from in our speech, we need to open the Bible. In it we learn about the unusual tradition of the Jews, which they committed at the death or other great misfortune of their loved ones, as well as their own troubles. At such moments, they poured ash or earth onto their heads. Such a ritual showed their grief and despair. It was iconic and contained a deep meaning.
Now, after familiarizing ourselves with the etymology of the expression “sprinkle ashes on the head,” the meaning of phraseology seems to us quite understandable and explainable.
Synonyms for Sustainable Phrases
The phraseological unit we are considering can be replaced by various verbs and expressions. For example, use the following words and combinations instead: grieve, grieve, yearn, fall into despondency. Or you can replace it with another stable expression: "tear on your clothes." Its meaning is the same as the phrase "sprinkle ashes on the head." The meaning of phraseology also expresses an extreme degree of despair and sorrow. Moreover, its origin is also associated with folk tradition. Only it belongs not to the Jews, but to the ancient Greeks and Slavs. Also, it was borrowed by some other nations. As a sign of grief, they tore their clothes.
Oddly enough, but such an archaic tradition is still respected by some peoples. It is also worth noting that not only clothes were torn, but also hair. This expressed complete despair. It is no coincidence that there is such an expression as “tearing your hair out”. It is also a synonymous phraseologism for the phrase we are considering.
Use expression
It is unlikely that in modern colloquial speech we can hear the phrase "sprinkle ashes on our heads." The meaning of phraseology, even if someone knows, few will dare to use such a phrase. It can decorate their speech and with the same success can put the interlocutor in an awkward position. Rather, this phraseology should be used in the media and fiction.
Journalists and writers like to put various steady turns into their works. Thus, they revive their work, make the language brighter, and the descriptions - deeper. An example is an excerpt from the story of the writer Yuri Nagibin, "Rise and go." “And the fact that after the arrest of my father I was deprived of the Sunday ruble was more a ritual gesture, like sprinkling ash on the head, rather than a necessity.” As we see, the writer used the expression we are considering in his story. Thus, he managed to show readers that the gesture was ritual, that is, although it was not justified, it was obligatory, like the tradition of sprinkling ashes on the head, like the ancient Jews.
Conclusion
Having examined this expression, we learned its meaning, history of origin, picked up synonyms for it and found out the scope of its application.