2006-09-11 20:54:50 · 12 answers · asked by Princess 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Other - Arts & Humanities
Apparently people say bless you when you sneeze because your heart stops for a millisecond.
This tradition originates from the Middle Ages, when it was believed that when one sneezed, the soul left the body and could be snatched by an evil spirit.
2006-09-11 20:56:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
People say, "God bless you," or simply "Bless you," out of common courtesy but it has its origin in the belief that when a person sneezes it is the first signs of getting sick. During the Middle Ages people died from things like a simple scratch that would turn into a severe infection (due to the horse dung all around, unsanitary conditions that existed, water often not being fit to drink and things like that, people did not bathe more than once every few months...). People didn't know what to do when they caught a cold and they sometimes died from further complications that resulted. So, the saying was, "God bless you and keep you well." The myths of the soul leaving the body or the heart momentarily stopping came much later.
2006-09-12 05:25:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In medeival times, it was believed that you stopped breathing for an instant after you sneezed, and the devil could possess you in that time, so they said "God Bless You" to keep him away.
2006-09-12 15:55:58 · answer #3 · answered by cross-stitch kelly 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, your heart stops for a short time when you sneeze. It is God's forgiveness to you it to start beating again.
2006-09-12 04:00:45 · answer #4 · answered by tapsev 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think it is because sneezing it a sign that the devil is in you and the sneeze is gods way to get the devil out.
I made this up but who knows I could be right.... The devil is in your nose!
2006-09-12 03:57:43 · answer #5 · answered by knowitall 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People say that your heart stops for a second when you sneeze.
2006-09-12 04:02:58 · answer #6 · answered by pinkkidsclubbing 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Would you rather them say GOD DAMN YOU when u sneeze?
2006-09-12 04:00:45 · answer #7 · answered by Chuck Dhue 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT WHEN YOU SNEEZE, YOUR SOUL IS VULNERABLE TO SATAN IN THAT INSTANT. SAYING "GOD BLESS YOU PROTECTS YOU SINCE THE DEVIL RETREATS AT THE MENTION OF GOD'S NAME.
2006-09-12 04:04:48 · answer #8 · answered by phillip v 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
bcuz it might mean you are coming down w/ illness or disease, so, "God bless you" is like saying, i hope God will keep you well-
2006-09-12 03:57:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
who says? in madhya pradesh this not happens.
2006-09-12 03:57:36 · answer #10 · answered by Pradyumn 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋