Have you ever wondered why we say “God bless you” after someone sneezes? It’s a common phrase that most of us use without even thinking about it, but the origin of this custom may surprise you. “God bless you” is a typical response uttered after someone sneezes. It has a long history dating back to ancient times and is intertwined with various cultural beliefs and superstitions. And while the phrase is universal, it can have a different meaning in every culture.

The saying “God bless you” is a typical response in many cultures to someone else’s sneeze. This seemingly simple phrase carries centuries of history, superstition, and tradition. Its origins, the evolution of its usage, and its contemporary meanings offer a fascinating glimpse into how language and societal customs evolve over time. But what’s the deeper meaning of why this greeting and phrase is commonly used worldwide? Not everyone wants to give their blessing away. Not everyone believes in God or is kind and compassionate enough to even want to give you that blessing.

So, what’s in this blessing? Why are you giving it, and should everyone receive it once they’ve sneezed? What makes this blessing good enough for the average person to grant? Will I be deemed a horrible human if I decide whom to give the blessing to? Not everyone warrants a blessing after they have sneezed. And not everyone will be offended if you don’t mention it after the action has passed. So now we have to venture into the nasal cavity to understand why we are giving out these blessings all willy-nilly and why we feel compelled to tell someone after they sneeze.

Go and grab your Puffs with lotion and your Mucinex. Be sure to take your Benadryl non-drowsy and maybe even some Allegra-D. Get some Life Insurance (if your heart stops and never starts after you sneeze) and clean your dusty-ass house. Pack your allergy bag and include some hand sanitizer as we go through the motions in this blog. Why saying God bless you is essential, too, and why we look forward to hearing it when we sneeze. Whether you cover your mouth or not, I don’t care, but you will know why you feel “blessed” after you sneeze…….

The Origins of the Phrase

“God bless you” can be traced back to various historical and cultural superstitions surrounding sneezing. One of the earliest recorded instances is linked to Pope Gregory the Great. During the bubonic plague in Rome around AD 590, sneezing was often a symptom of the illness. Pope Gregory the Great began saying “God bless you” as a prayer for divine protection for the sneezer. This gesture invoked divine blessing and protection from illness or evil.

One theory about the origins of “God bless you” dates back to ancient times. It was believed that when someone sneezed, their soul was momentarily separated from their body. Saying “God bless you” was a way to protect the sneezer from evil spirits trying to enter their body while their soul was temporarily absent. A second origin theory is the phrase “God bless you” after a sneeze, rooted in ancient beliefs about the soul and protection from evil spirits. It also has ties to the bubonic plague and the Pope’s blessing during that time. While the phrase has evolved to become a polite social convention, its origins are still fascinating to consider.

Maybe the origin story is as follows: Saying “God bless you” can be traced back to the bubonic plague, also known as the Black Death, ravaging Europe during the 14th century. Sneezing was one of the early symptoms of the plague, and people believed it indicated the disease’s onset. Since the plague was highly contagious and often fatal, a sneeze was a sign of imminent danger. In those times, Pope Gregory I (Gregory the Great) took measures to combat the plague. He issued a decree that when someone sneezed, they should be blessed in the hope that divine intervention would protect them from falling ill. The phrase “God bless you” invoked God’s protection upon the sneezer.

Evolution Overtime

Over the centuries, the phrase has evolved and been adapted by different cultures worldwide. The basic sentiment remains the same, but the reasons behind its usage have diversified. Some cultures adopted it as a way to wish someone good health or to protect the soul, which was believed to be vulnerable when sneezing. In others, it was a way to ward off evil spirits that could enter the body during a sneeze.

The most widely accepted explanation for saying “God bless you” after a sneeze can be traced back to Pope Gregory the Great. In the 6th century, a deadly plague swept across Europe. As a result, the Pope ordered that anyone who sneezed should be blessed with the sign of the cross and the words “God bless you.” Additionally, various cultures and religions have beliefs and customs related to sneezing. In ancient Rome, for example, sneezing was considered a sign of good fortune and luck. They believed that when someone sneezed, it expelled evil spirits from their body, and saying, “Jupiter preserves you” or “Salve” (meaning “be well”) was a way to ensure their well-being.

During the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed that when a person sneezed, their soul momentarily left their body. Saying “God bless you” was a way to safeguard the sneezer’s soul from being seized by the devil or other evil spirits until it returned to the body. Over time, the phrase “God bless you” became deeply ingrained in Western culture and remains a typical response to sneezing today. While the original superstitious and religious connotations may have faded for many, the saying has endured as a polite gesture and well-wishing, often used out of habit or politeness rather than any specific religious belief.

Social Media and Modern Usage

The social practice of saying God Bless you soon spread throughout Europe, and “God bless you” became a typical response to sneezing. Over time, it became a polite social convention, even among people who were not religious. Today, “God bless you” is a reflexive response to sneezing, and most people do not give much thought to its origins or meaning. In this fast-paced, socially driven world, you must be careful how you say it and how you come off when saying it.

With the age of social media heavily exposing our mannerisms, “God bless you” and its variations (such as “bless you” or simply “bless”) have found new life. The phrase is often used in online interactions as a sign of affection, goodwill, or casual benediction. This evolution reflects the broader trend of traditional expressions finding new meanings and uses in the digital age. On platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, users often use “bless” in a more secular context, detached from its original religious connotations.

Contemporary Meanings

Today, saying “God bless you” can serve multiple purposes depending on the context. It often remains a polite response to someone sneezing, rooted in the historical desire to wish someone well. For some, it carries a profoundly religious meaning, invoking God’s favor and protection. For others, it’s a cultural habit or a form of expressing care and concern without necessarily invoking a religious sentiment.

It’s worth noting that alternative phrases or customs are used in different languages and cultures in response to sneezing. For example, “Gesundheit” is commonly used in English-speaking countries, a German word meaning “health.” In addition, variations of blessings and wishes for good health, or even silence, are observed in different regions after someone sneezes.

Final Thoughts

The phrase “God bless you” perfectly exemplifies how language and customs evolve while retaining a thread of their origins. From a protective incantation against the plague to a modern expression of goodwill, its journey reflects societal changes, beliefs, and communication methods. Whether spoken, written, or typed, “God bless you” is a universal expression of human warmth and care, transcending its historical roots to maintain relevance in the contemporary world.

Interestingly, in some cultures, such as Japan, people do not say “God bless you” after sneezing. Instead, they say, “I hope you are healthy,” or “Take care.” This reflects the different cultural attitudes towards sneezing and health. The practice of saying “God bless you” after someone sneezes originated from believing in the protective power of divine intervention during times of illness and danger. Although the original context and meanings have evolved, the phrase has persisted as a courteous response to sneezing in many parts of the world.

Now that you know why it’s said after you sneeze, will you continue to say it? Will you guard close your blessings and just keep them to yourself? Will you be more cautious about why you say it to folks? Whatever you choose, count those blessings after you’ve sneezed and thank the person who grants you a blessing afterward. Because you never know if you will return to life after you’ve let one out. And as always, when you hear an Ahhh-Choo… Don’t forget to say, “God Bless You!”… Or Bless you, whichever fits.