2007-07-02 08:05:04 · 29 answers · asked by flangel80190 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
Superstitions about salt date back to biblical times when salt was a highly prized commodity. It was expensive, crucial in preserving food, and was often used in lieu of currency. So spilling salt was considered an almost sacrilegious offence, and left one perilously exposed to the devil's machinations.
Throwing salt over your shoulder is akin to blessing someone after they've sneezed -- it's a way of keeping the devil at bay while you're in an especially vulnerable moment. Depending on your interpretation, the salt is either intended to blind the devil so he can't witness your error, or keep him from sneaking up on you while you're cleaning up your mess.
It's important to note that the superstition calls for the offender to throw salt over the left shoulder. As one web site notes, many ancient traditions place the devil to the left of the straight and narrow path. The classic image of a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other often shows the sinister imp sitting on the left side.
And if you want to really follow the letter of the law, you're encouraged to throw the salt with your "good," or right hand. Throughout history, the association of right with good and left with bad caused a number of perfectly respectable left-handed people to be burned at the stake.
2007-07-02 08:07:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I use it as a signal to a friend of mine when out to dinner with a group that she is starting on a dangerous line of conversation. She knows then to quit before she says something hurtful. It started when I was sitting next to her once and I threw the salt over her shoulder!
2007-07-02 08:52:13 · answer #2 · answered by mari athenan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you accidentally spill salt you are suppose to then throw it over your left shoulder. It comes from the painting "The Last Supper". Judas is seated to the left of Christ. It is bad luck to spill salt by tossing in direction of Judas (the betrayer) you are relieving the bad luck. (In painting salt container is spilled)
Just a superstition, but I always do it.
2007-07-02 08:51:41 · answer #3 · answered by sparky 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You get salt in the eye of the guy sitting in back of you on the bus.
2007-07-02 08:40:59 · answer #4 · answered by mcat 5 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You just wasted salt and created a mess on the floor.
2007-07-02 08:07:50 · answer #5 · answered by Stormchaser 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nothing just makes a hazard for someone walking and it makes you look like a fool you waster of salt!
2007-07-02 08:10:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, as a follower of the left hand path (Satanism) i throw it over my right shoulder, the superstition is that you are throwing salt in the eyes of the 'devil', & its a christian invention, so i thought i would give 'jebus' a taste of his own medicine!
2016-05-21 03:34:48 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you have salt on your right shoulder.
2007-07-02 08:12:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the floor is carput u end up having to vacume. If the floor is hardwood u end up having to use a broom.
2007-07-02 08:34:55 · answer #9 · answered by missgigglebunny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nothing "happeneds"
people do it when they spill salt, it's supposed to ward of evil spirits that come about when you spilled the salt in the first place
2007-07-02 08:07:15 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋