2006-12-26 09:02:14 · 21 answers · asked by Alex F 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Although there are many different reasons, the primary one is because 500 years ago in britain, there was a plague where on of the first signs of infection was sneezing. Therefore, people blessed you because you could be dying. The child's song 'ring around the posy' was from the same era and was about the syptoms too, which was a red ring that developed on your wrist when were struck by the sickness.
2006-12-26 09:06:03 · answer #1 · answered by canajen 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
In English-speaking countries, it is common for at least one person to say "God bless you" (or just "Bless you") after someone sneezes. This tradition originates from the Middle Ages, when it was believed that when one sneezed, the heart stops, the soul left the body and could be snatched by an evil spirit.
2006-12-26 17:12:47 · answer #2 · answered by Robert W 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is said that every time one sneezes that the heart stops for a very brief moment, therefore we say bless you, because we survived the sneeze. I think we should be saying "thank you" to ourselves, rather than some one saying "bless you".
2006-12-26 17:06:56 · answer #3 · answered by Staci C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was the plague! The heart stopping thing was a myth.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bless_you
..."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."
2006-12-27 12:17:19 · answer #4 · answered by DeanPonders 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Flip & Ms. Fulton are correct. The heart skips a beat whenever you sneeze. This was known long ago, so the term "God bless you" became common, wishing the sneezer good luck!
2006-12-26 17:06:59 · answer #5 · answered by Blu 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some cultures once believed that when sneezing, you soul could escape thereby a quick declaration of 'God Bless You' was used to return your soul or keep it from leaving.
This is kind of in line with cultures that feared having their picture taken as it meant that part of your soul had departed to exist on the picture.
Odd, but true.
2006-12-26 17:06:42 · answer #6 · answered by Darbo 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sneezing causes the heartbeat to "skip" a beat. The same for coughing, and belching. Funny that we don't say bless you in those cases.
2006-12-26 17:04:40 · answer #7 · answered by flip4it 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because it used to be believed that after a sneeze a person's soul was endangered of being caught by the devil. So anyone around was supposed to bless the person to keep the evil away and their soul safe.
2006-12-26 17:04:06 · answer #8 · answered by Destiny 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Because some people think sneezing makes your heart skip a beat so they ask God to bless you!
2006-12-26 17:03:57 · answer #9 · answered by wish I were 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
because a long time ago like before penicillin (the antibiotic) when people sneezed it meant they could get so sick that they die there for they need a prayer. Like 'Bless You' or God bless you
2006-12-26 17:07:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋