People say "bless you" after a sneeze, primarily due to historical beliefs about the sneeze being a potential expulsion of the soul, while coughing doesn't carry the same connotation.
Historical Beliefs
The practice of saying "bless you" after someone sneezes stems from ancient and medieval beliefs and practices, including:
- Soul Expulsion: People once believed that a sneeze could cause one's soul to exit the body. Therefore, "God bless you" or "Bless you" was used as a protective phrase to prevent evil forces, specifically the devil, from snatching the soul. This belief is well-documented in various cultures, adding depth to why we use the phrase to this day.
- Bubonic Plague: During the 14th century, the bubonic plague (also known as the Black Death) was rampant in Europe. Sneezing was a noticeable symptom of this deadly disease, which gave another reason why a blessing would be said as a form of hoping for well-being.
- Superstition: There was a general superstitious belief that sneezes were a sign of ill health, even beyond the bubonic plague, making a blessing a welcome and comforting response.
Comparison with Coughing
Coughing, on the other hand, does not typically have the same historical or superstitious associations.
- No Soul Connection: Coughing was not believed to have the same connection to the soul leaving the body.
- Less Ominous: While coughing can be a sign of illness, it never had the same dire connotations as a sneeze in the context of ancient superstitions. It was not associated with the same fear of immediate spiritual vulnerability.
- Common Occurrence: Coughing tends to be more common than sneezing and is caused by a range of simple irritants or viruses. Therefore, it didn’t carry the same need for a unique blessing.
Summarized Differences
| Feature | Sneezing | Coughing |
|---|---|---|
| Historical Belief | Soul may leave the body | No such association |
| Superstition | Associated with spiritual vulnerability and illness | More typical of regular, non-spiritual illness |
| Blessing Response | "Bless you" is common | No common response |
Conclusion
The tradition of saying "bless you" after someone sneezes but not after a cough is a direct result of historical beliefs, where sneezing was thought to potentially expel one's soul and make them vulnerable to evil forces, while coughing lacks those associations.
