Why is the origin of saying bless you when someone sneezes?

Answer 1

Some questions, no matter how simple, don't have one knowable answer. Though a number of "explanations" exist for this custom, nothing points to any one of them being its origin.

Common among these explanations are:

* At one time people believed a man's soul could be inadvertently thrust from his body by an explosive sneeze, thus "Bless you!" was a protective oath uttered to safeguard the temporarily expelled and vulnerable soul from being snatched up by Satan (who was always lurking nearby). The purpose of the oath was to cast a temporary shield over the flung-out soul which would protect it just long enough to regain the protection of the corporeal body.

* Conversely, the sneeze itself was the expulsion of a demon or evil spirit which had taken up residence in a person. Therefore, although the "Bless you!" was again a protective charm meant to protect the sneezer from evil, in this version it was meant to ward off the re-entry of an evil spirit which a tormented soul had just rid itself of.

* The heart was believed to momentarily stop during a sneeze (it doesn't), thus the "Bless you!" was uttered either as a supplication for life to return or as a congratulation upon its successful restart.

* Others claim an association of the practice with particular dire diseases (most often the bubonic plague, or "Black Death," as it is sometimes known). They say an infected person's sneeze was sure sign he'd soon be pushing up daisies, thus the "Bless you!" was intended as a benediction to the nearly-departed, a way of commending his soul to the care of God now that he was beyond the help of anything in the mortal world.

* Yet other folks echo the theme of other superstitions about sneezes, that these expulsions are either in themselves lucky or foretell good fortune coming the sneezer's way. For them, the "Bless you!" is a recognition of incoming good luck, possibly even an attempt on the blesser's part to attract a bit of it to himself.

* Finally, some see the sneeze as a blessing bestowed by the sneezer upon the sneezed-upon. Answering a sneeze with "Bless you!" is seen as nothing more remarkable than replying "Good morning!" to the person who had just greeted you with the same phrase.

So many explanations -- each deeply believed -- for such a simple and often unquestioned practice. And we'll never know which one is right.

Answer 2

The custom of saying "God bless you" after a sneeze was begun literally as a blessing. Pope Gregory the Great (540-604 AD) ascended to the Papacy just in time for the start of the plague Gregory, who invented the ever-popular Gregorian chant called litanies, processions and unceasing prayer for God's help and intercession. Columns marched through the streets chanting, "Kyrie Eleison" (Greek for "Lord have mercy"). When someone sneezed, they were immediately blessed ("God bless you!") in the hope that they would not subsequently develop the plague. All that prayer apparently worked, judging by how quickly the plague of 590 AD diminished.

Some version relating its origin are as follows:
*When someone sneezes his heart stops and saying "God bless you" means "I'm glad your heart started again."
*Saying "God bless you" when you sneeze keeps the devil from flying down your throat.
*When someone sneezes, say "God bless you and may the devil miss you."
*When you sneeze your soul tries to escape and saying "God bless you" crams it back in.

We know today that when you sneeze, your heart doesn't stop, nor will your eyes pop out if you can keep them open, nor does your soul get expelled. What does get expelled are hundreds upon thousands of microscopic germs. The current advice when you sneeze is to cover your mouth with your arm rather than your hand. That way, all those germs won't be on your hands when you touch the countless things you're going to touch in the course of the day.

Answer 3

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. if someone was to sneeze multiple times, it would be said like this, after each sneeze: "God Bless you" "Keep you" "May the lord have contenance upon you" "and give you peace." then, repeat, I suppose, if needed. I know many christian families that only say 'bless you' because they believe that 'god bless you' is taking the lords name in vain... my family was one of these families.

In almost any other non-english countries, the respose usually just means, in any language, health, or health to you, like most spanish countries say 'salud.' Similarly in Hong Kong, it is said that if you sneeze once or twice, someone is talking or gossiping about you. If you sneeze three times, then you are probably catching a cold.... In Ukraine and Russia, people say ("Be healthy") in response to a sneeze. Sometimes, when somebody sneezes during a conversation, they say ("It's a truth"), meaning that the previous statement is confirmed by sneezing.

I think, and this is only my personal theory... what would it be like if there were no responses to a sneeze? think about the last time you sneezed while chating. It would be a long dramatic pause, maybe trying to keep going on with the conversation when someone is uncomfortably wiping and sniffling away. I think a response just takes the dramatic embarrasing edge away, and gives us common ground! personally, I think its silly. some may call me impolite by not wishing your soul back in your body, I just say I'm not superstitious. :) out with the old, in with the new... in more ways than one.

Answer 4

RE:
Why is the origin of saying bless you when someone sneezes?

Answer 5

One thing is sure that this tradition could be older than 2000 years old.

This is from Thirukkural which is 2000 years old book. Seems saying "Bless you" is not started recently.

English Couplet 1312:
One day we silent sulked; he sneezed: The reason well I knew;
He thought that I, to speak well pleased, Would say, 'Long life to you!'.

Couplet Explanation:
When I continued to be sulky he sneezed and thought I would (then) wish him a long life.

Answer 6

origin bless sneezes

Answer 7

Etymology Of Bless

Answer 8

One traditional explanation for the custom is that it began literally as a blessing. Pope Gregory I the Great (AD 540-604) ascended to the Papacy just in time for the start of the bubonic plague in AD 590 (his successor succumbed to it). To combat the plague, Gregory ordered litanies, processions and unceasing prayer for God's blessing. When someone sneezed (seen as the initial onset of the plague), they were immediately blessed ("God bless you!") in the hope that they would not actually develop the disease.

Answer 9

Apparently in medieval times.. when you sneezed, it was believed that your spirit could potentially be expelled from your body. So, in order to safeguard your newly freed soul, people would say "God Bless You" as a form of protection from the devil until your soul could find it's way back to your warm little body.

It was also believed that if you were to cover your mouth while sneezing, you could "catch" your spirit and stuff it back in your body where it belonged! Hope this helps! :o)

Answer 10

Some people believe that your heart stops when you sneeze, so they say God Bless you, so you won't die. A nice custom.