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You are here: Home / Odds / Why Do We Say God Bless You! After a Sneeze?

Why Do We Say God Bless You! After a Sneeze?

April 8, 2020 by Karen Hill

Ancient man believed that his breath contained his spirit, or his soul, and that it lived in his head. Therefore, when he sneezed, he feared that he was losing his soul and leaving an empty place in his head for evil spirits to enter. All this would happen unless God prevented it. Thus, a wish was spoken for God to bless that person.

Other early people believed that evil spirits, which had already entered the body, jumped out on a sneeze and entered other people’s bodies.

Today, we know that a sneeze can be harmful to other people, but not because of evil spirits, but rather because of the harmful bacteria that travel in the droplets of moisture expelled in a sneeze, bacteria which can spread colds, flu, and other diseases.

The droplets of moisture in a sneeze travel at a rate of 150 feet a second and can land as far as 12 feet away!

Related Facts

  • Where Did the Expression "Bless you" For After a Sneeze Come From and What Does it Mean?
  • Why Do Some People Sneeze When They Go From Indoors Into Sunlight and What Causes a Photic Sneeze Reflex?
  • Why don't you sneeze when you are asleep?
  • Who Was the Kindest God In Hindu Mythology and How Did Bhrigu Decide That Vishnu Was the Supreme God?
  • What Makes You Sneeze?
  • Can the sun make you sneeze and what causes it?

Filed Under: Odds

About Karen Hill

Karen Hill is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist. Born in New York, her work has appeared in the Examiner, Yahoo News, Buzzfeed, among others.

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