Are you familiar with the superstition of throwing salt over your shoulder? If not, keep reading to discover why people believe in this practice, which shoulder to throw the salt over, and the origins of this fascinating belief!
Why is throwing salt over your shoulder considered good luck?
Superstitions suggest that spilling salt is a source of bad luck and attracts malevolent forces. Across various cultures and religions, it is commonly believed that evil spirits lurk behind your left shoulder.
By throwing salt over your left shoulder with your right hand, you are believed to blind these spirits and protect yourself from harm.
According to this belief, when you’re distracted by cleaning up the spilled salt, the evil spirits take advantage of the opportunity to attack you. This association between the left side of the body and evil stems from the Latin word “sinister,” which has contributed to the negative perception of the left side.
In Christian beliefs, the left side is associated with the devil and evil, while the right side symbolizes goodness and angels. In Buddhist tradition, it is customary to throw salt over your shoulder after a funeral to ward off any lingering bad spirits.
However, it’s important to note that interpretations of this superstition may vary. Some opt to throw salt over their right shoulder or even both shoulders. Ultimately, the decision of which shoulder to choose is entirely up to you!
The left side of the body is considered the feminine side, associated with receiving energy. Energy flows into the left side and out of the right side. This concept aligns with the idea that evil spirits or energy would enter the body through the feminine or left side.
The Origins of Throwing Salt Over Your Shoulder
In ancient times, salt held immense value due to its ability to season and preserve food. Its scarcity made spilling salt a symbol of bad luck or even an omen of evil. To counteract this misfortune, people began throwing salt over their shoulder as a protective measure.
Salt was so highly prized that battles were fought over control of salt mines. Many cities even sprang up near these mines, such as Salzburg in Austria, which translates to “Salt Castle” in German.
Salt likely held such significance that it may have been used as currency in ancient Rome and other cities. The word “salary” derives from the Latin word “Salarium,” which traces back to “Sal” or “Salt.”
While historical records are scarce, experts believe Roman soldiers either purchased salt with their wages or received it as part of their compensation.
The importance of salt also manifests in phrases like “Salt of the earth” and “They’re not worth their salt,” highlighting its value and worth.
Within Christian beliefs, spilling salt is linked to notions of evil and betrayal. In the Bible, salt symbolizes purity, integrity, grace, and God’s covenant. Therefore, spilling salt is seen as an act influenced by the devil. This connection can be observed in Leonardo da Vinci’s painting “The Last Supper,” where the betrayer Judas is portrayed spilling salt on the table.
This interpretation is further supported by the story of Lot’s wife, who disregarded the angels’ warning and looked back at Sodom, which resulted in her transformation into a pillar of salt. Her betrayal of the angels and surrender to the devil led to her eventual downfall.
Consequently, Christians began throwing salt over their left shoulder after spilling it, to thwart the devil’s power and prevent him from causing harm.
So, next time you accidentally spill salt, don’t forget to toss it over your shoulder and keep those malevolent forces at bay!
