2006-07-20 05:28:36 · 19 answers · asked by Chrissy H 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
Throw it over your left shoulder with your right hand.
2006-07-20 05:31:41 · answer #1 · answered by Brian L 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Superstitions about salt date back to biblical times when salt was a highly prized commodity. It was expensive, crucial in preserving food, and was often used in lieu of currency. So spilling salt was considered an almost sacrilegious offence, and left one perilously exposed to the devil's machinations.
Throwing salt over your shoulder is akin to blessing someone after they've sneezed -- it's a way of keeping the devil at bay while you're in an especially vulnerable moment. Depending on your interpretation, the salt is either intended to blind the devil so he can't witness your error, or keep him from sneaking up on you while you're cleaning up your mess.
It's important to note that the superstition calls for the offender to throw salt over the left shoulder. As one web site notes, many ancient traditions place the devil to the left of the straight and narrow path. The classic image of a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other often shows the sinister imp sitting on the left side.
And if you want to really follow the letter of the law, you're encouraged to throw the salt with your "good," or right hand. Throughout history, the association of right with good and left with bad caused a number of perfectly respectable left-handed people to be burned at the stake.
2006-07-20 05:36:35 · answer #2 · answered by Cheesie M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The left. The devil is supposed to be looking over your left shoulder watching. That way, it blinds him temporarily. Actually, it was considered bad luck because salt was so expensive in ancient times.
2006-07-20 07:35:12 · answer #3 · answered by cross-stitch kelly 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Traditionally speaking, right hand ..and left shoulder..also...when there is a spilling of salt..it is to be placed in the four corners of each room to cleanse and purify..as the ocean would do for us and all things that touch it as well the things that exist 'neath the sea.......
2006-07-20 06:18:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Brian L has heard it the same way as me, right hand, over left shoulder
2006-07-20 05:33:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I am remembering correctly it is the left shoulder. I have tried to find a link to how that legend started but haven't found anything yet.
2006-07-20 05:40:53 · answer #6 · answered by Stephen 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you knock it over with your left hand throw it over your right shoulder
IF you spill it with your right hand throw it over your left shoulder.
IF you spill it out in front of you throw it OVER your head.
Then stand up and cough real loud three times and say...
I AM A FOOL!
You do the HOKEY POKY AND you turn yourself about...that is what it is all about!
FOOLISH MORTALS!!
2006-07-20 06:01:36 · answer #7 · answered by Samuella SilverSelene 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its the opposite shoulder of whatever hand you cook with.
2006-07-20 05:51:51 · answer #8 · answered by bk2bxrican 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
right shoulder with left hand
2006-07-22 05:12:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
left shoulder with right hand
2006-07-20 07:09:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋