2006-09-20 15:30:19 · 11 answers · asked by rhicks1121 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The origin of the "bless you" tradition is not entirely clear. The urban legend experts at Snopes.com list an impressive number of possibilities. One involves the (hopefully) mistaken belief that a human's soul might escape through a sneeze. Saying "God bless you" wards off Satan while the soul is temporarily vulnerable.
Another story veers toward the medical. Once upon an unenlightened time, people believed that the heart stopped during a sneeze. A hearty "God bless you" set the ol' ticker back in motion. Keep in mind these were the days before defibrillators and HMOs.
Interesting, but the most popular theory comes from the Middle Ages. During the bubonic plague, a sneeze was believed to be a sign of impending death. "God bless you" was "a way of commending his soul to the care of God." The phrase may have also come in handy to protect oneself if someone nearby sneezed.
Today, "bless you" is more a sign of good manners than a shield against death.
2006-09-20 15:33:51 · answer #1 · answered by pooh bear 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Back in the old days when someone would sneeze, it was a sign that the individual would get the flu and die. So if someone sneezes then, people around would say “Bless you” as a sign to get well.
2006-09-20 15:35:49 · answer #2 · answered by Kurt 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was always told that this was because it was believed that when you sneezed you were ridding your self of a demon and you were being blessed b/c you had rid yourself of this evil. Also some people say "scat cat" when someones sneezes, ever heard of that one? It is along the same line of thought, that when the evil is released by the sneeze you are telling it to leave and not possess anyone around.
Just something I have always been told.
2006-09-20 15:51:57 · answer #3 · answered by SpecialK 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the Medieval times, people thought that your soul was trying to escape your body when you sneezed, so people would say, "God bless you". Also, when you sneeze, it's the only time your body isn't in control of your heart.
2006-09-20 15:33:08 · answer #4 · answered by Nowhere Man 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was once believed that when you sneezed your soul left your body and without a blessing, it might not find it's way home again.
2006-09-20 19:22:11 · answer #5 · answered by Sparkle1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i read this in a book, apparently in the medieval times, people believe your soul or spirit is in your breath. so when sneeze ,it come out & people around u will say "bless u" so that it will go back in. note: its actually the person blessing u & not "God bless u" , nothing to do with christianity but more of a medieval superstious belief.
2006-09-20 15:36:15 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, it is God Bless you, and the reason being your heart stops when you sneeze.!
2006-09-20 15:33:33 · answer #7 · answered by Tinkerbelle 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the same as when you say bless you when they don't sneeze
2006-09-20 15:32:35 · answer #8 · answered by denise f 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The standard tale is that it means "God bless you" because a sneezes were thought to be exorcising demons and such or losing his or her soul out the nose.
'Bless you, my dear!' he said, and 'bless you, bless you!' at the second and third sneeze. [Apuleius, Golden ***, AD 150]
2006-09-20 15:32:29 · answer #9 · answered by Aspurtaime Dog Sneeze 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It originated with the demon theory, and then it turned into the heart stopping when it was medically proven. Also gazoontite <--- dont know how to spell it, but i thnk you know what i am talking about, but that also has been said to mean god bless you in some other language.
2006-09-20 15:41:16 · answer #10 · answered by milljt86 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋