You’ve probably said it a thousand times—someone sneezes, and without thinking, you say “Bless you!” But have you ever stopped to wonder why we do this? The origins of this simple phrase are darker than you think!
- The Plague Theory – A Matter of Life and Death
One of the most famous explanations dates back to the bubonic plague in the 6th and 14th centuries. Sneezing was one of the first symptoms of the deadly disease, and Pope Gregory I ordered people to say “God bless you” in hopes of protecting them from the illness—or at least offering a prayer before death. - The Superstition of the Soul Leaving the Body
Some ancient cultures believed that sneezing could expel a person’s soul from their body, leaving them vulnerable to evil spirits. Saying “Bless you” was thought to prevent demons from sneaking in! - The Roman Emperor Who Thought Sneezing Was Lucky
In ancient Rome, people believed that sneezing was a sign of good fortune—especially if it happened in the morning. Emperor Tiberius was so obsessed with this idea that his followers would say “Jupiter preserve you” every time he sneezed. - The Heart-Stopping Myth (Literally!)
There’s a common myth that your heart stops when you sneeze and that saying “Bless you” somehow helps restart it. While this isn’t true, sneezing does cause a temporary change in heart rhythm—which might explain why people thought it was a near-death experience!
So next time someone sneezes, remember: what seems like a simple polite response actually has a long history of fear, faith, and superstition behind it!