specifically relating to after a sneeze.
2006-09-28 19:44:31 · 6 answers · asked by Danielle S 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
in midievel times it was believed that when you sneezed--evil spirits could enter your body ... therefore when ppl sneezed it became customary to say God bless you or bless you to keep the evil spirits out
2006-09-28 19:47:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Saying "Bless you!" (or "God bless!") when someone nearby sneezes, some common explanations:
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.
2006-09-29 02:51:00 · answer #2 · answered by TK 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the days of the black plague, that was one of the symptoms, sneezing. So when you sneezed in those days it could have meant something lethal.
2006-09-29 02:55:10 · answer #3 · answered by Morgan J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the beleif was that back in the day...you sneezing was your soul trying to come out of your nose...really..i am not making this up.....and the idea was to say bless you in a way to keep your soul preserved in you.....i know it sounds dumb...but that is the way i heard it.....
2006-09-29 02:48:14 · answer #4 · answered by blacklion 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a long time ago they belived when you snezzed the devil had a chance to recive your soul therfore after a snezze they had to be bless again so god would come back
2006-09-29 02:48:33 · answer #5 · answered by k dog 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it comes from Christianity when you are trying to do something maybe dangerous so they might say that so that you will keep safe.
2006-09-29 02:52:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋