2006-12-28 03:37:27 · 10 answers · asked by shellybelly 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
One of the symptoms for the Black Plague was sneezing. They used to say Bless you because you'd need it if you got the plague. It was kind of like saying "I hope you don't die"
2006-12-28 03:39:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 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 (his successor succumbed to it). Gregory (who also invented the ever-popular Gregorian chant) called for 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.
2006-12-28 11:41:30 · answer #2 · answered by Jessica H 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It started in the Middle Ages when they believed the heart stopped when one sneezed.
2006-12-28 11:40:28 · answer #3 · answered by SKYDOGSLIM 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess we say "Bless you!" or "Cazoontite!" to ward off the bad spirits that come when someone sneezes. I even occasionally bless myself when I sneeze with no one around.
2006-12-28 11:42:14 · answer #4 · answered by jracer524 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Our heart, and literally all of our body, stops for a second when we sneeze. Those who thank God that it started again say "God Bless You."
2006-12-28 11:40:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
When there was many deadly uncurable diseases people said bless you if you sneezed because sneezing kinda meant you will most probably die
2006-12-28 11:40:15 · answer #6 · answered by Remnants Of Yesterday 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think that at one time, it was thought that you could lose your soul through a sneeze. "God bless you" was said so that your soul wouldn't be lost.
2006-12-28 11:38:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Leave it to the Catholics to start something they can't back up or explain! It's a nice gesture but who among us sinners can actually be expected to "bless" someone when we ourselves are unworthy and never commissioned by a higher power to do so! Ridiculous!
2006-12-28 11:45:45 · answer #8 · answered by HotInTX 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
i don't know but it is a very good gesture
2006-12-28 11:40:39 · answer #9 · answered by Me 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
its to cast away demons.
2006-12-28 11:38:52 · answer #10 · answered by ♫cabaret/rckr♫ 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋