What is the origin of throwing salt over your shoulder?

Answer 1

It is considered bad luck to spill salt according to an old superstition. If one was to spill it in error they then must throw it over their left shoulder. Salt was considered very pure so throwing it over the left shoulder would temporarily stop the devil, therefore preventing any misfortune."He is not worth his salt", is a common expression. It originated in ancient Greece where salt was traded for slaves.
Source:http://www.answerbag.com/q_view.php/23747
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.
Source:http://www.buceriasmexico.com/today's%20useless%20fact.htm

Answer 2

Salt Over Shoulder Origin

Answer 3

Superstition has it that, at all times, a devil (or perhaps the devil) waits over your left shoulder, and also that spilling salt is bad luck (perhaps because it used to be rare and precious). Hence, you can mitigate your bad luck by throwing salt into the eyes of the devil. There's also a belief that your guardian angel (who can be found over your right shoulder) spills salt to warn you of evil nearby. Either you throw the salt to hurt the devil or, as salt was valuable, as an offering to placate him.

Like lots of other superstitions in a Christianised culture, it has a Christianised explanation: spilling salt is bad luck, because Judas spilled salt at the Last Supper. This is somewhat equivalent to the Christianised explanation for not sitting down thirteen at the table, and almost certainly a red herring.

Covenants in both the Old and New Testaments were often sealed with salt: the origin of the word "salvation." In the Catholic Church, salt is or has been used in a variety of purifying rituals. In fact, until Vatican II, a small taste of salt was placed on a baby's lip at his or her baptism. Jesus called his disciples "the Salt of the Earth." In Leonardo DaVinci's famous painting, "The Last Supper," Judas Escariot has just spilled a bowl of salt - a portent of evil and bad luck. To this day, the tradition endures that someone who spills salt should throw a pinch over his left shoulder to ward off any devils that may be lurking behind.

Answer 4

In Leonardo DaVinci's famous painting, "The Last Supper," Judas Escariot has just spilled a bowl of salt - a portent of evil and bad luck. To this day, the tradition endures that someone who spills salt should throw a pinch over his left shoulder to ward off any devils that may be lurking behind.

In Buddhist tradition, salt repels evil spirits. That's why it's customary to throw salt over your shoulder before entering your house after a funeral: it scares off any evil spirits that may be clinging to your back.

Shinto religion also uses salt to purify an area. Before sumo wrestlers enter the ring for a match - which is actually an elaborate Shinto rite - a handful of salt is thrown into the center to drive off malevolent spirits.

Answer 5

Salt used to be extremely valuable and rare. Roman soldiers were paid in it. If they spilled some, they spilled their "paycheck", or part of it, so it was considered unlucky. Throwing a pinch over the shoulders was to make the bad luck go away - it was probably meant to be an offering to their gods for this purpose.

Answer 6

A superstition is a belief or ritual, such as throwing salt over your shoulder, that has no logical basis. This can be illustrated with the "black cat" analogy. In Britain, black cats are considered good luck, yet in America and Ireland; they are considered bad luck. Why? Who knows? It's a superstition, and therefore there is no logical reason behind the belief. Yet, many diffuse beliefs are based upon the same notion.

Answer 7

Well, back in the western days, there was a cowboy named Tex....Armidilla.....and he was wanted. He sat down at this bar in Crumb Texas to get something to eat but all they had were dirty tables. He sat down, and started cleaning one up. Unbeknowingst to him, at the same time, a few bounty hunters were mosying into a bar to go "git em". Cleaning off the table involved throwing salt over his sholders.....into the bounty hunters eyes...he got away......thus the saying.

Unfortunately, he was caught the next day, even though he tried the salt thing again, but it was too late. The saying spread out like wild fire (What the hell is wild fire anyway) before they knew that it wasnt really lucky....everyday...

TRUST ME ON THIS ONE!

Answer 8

The act of throwing a pinch of salt over your left shoulder after spilling some has its origins in the actual undeniable actuality that when you consider that formerly cutting-aspect cases it grow to be so not person-friendly to get it grow to be considered undesirable luck or as Tarzan might want to assert “undesirable JuJu” to spill any. for this reason in case you may want to happen to spill some you throw a pinch of it over your left shoulder to strive against the undesirable luck. This grow to be also echoed by technique of Leonardo da Vinci in his 15th century mural the perfect supper the position Judas is depicted as spilling salt on the table formerly he denied Jesus. in the mural Judas is seated on the left of Jesus or as superstition might want to carry the evil or undesirable area. The reasoning behind this for this reason is going that in case you spill salt to interrupt the undesirable luck you throw a pinch of it over your left or evil shoulder

Answer 9

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.

Answer 10

apparently, the devil can see you at all times, and you throw salt over ur shoulder to blind him from seeing you. it comes from the times of elizabeth the first i think.