why don't you eat meat on good friday

The reason why people don't eat meat on Good Friday is to honor the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who gave up his flesh and died on the cross on that day. Abstaining from flesh meat (which includes the meat of mammals and poultry such as beef, pork, chicken, and turkey) on Good Friday is a form of penance and self-denial, recognizing the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus. This practice is part of a longstanding Christian tradition, especially observed by Catholics, who also traditionally avoid meat on all Fridays of the year and particularly during Lent. The idea is that by giving up meat, believers imitate Jesus' ultimate sacrifice and show reverence for the day of his crucifixion. While flesh meat is prohibited, products like fish, milk, eggs, and dairy are allowed because fish was historically seen as a less prestigious food than meat, making the sacrifice more meaningful. This tradition is rooted in Church canon law and has been practiced since the early centuries of Christianity.