3lor

Throw Salt Over Your Shoulder: A Little-Known Tradition You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner

Advertisement

Brighten Your Smile Naturally: Tomato Teeth Whitening

Many believe that tossing salt over your shoulder wards off bad luck. If you’re curious about this superstition, read on to discover why people throw salt, which shoulder to aim for, and the origins of this practice.

Why is Throwing Salt Over Your Shoulder Considered Good Luck?

Superstition holds that spilling salt brings bad luck and invites evil spirits. In many cultures, it’s believed that these spirits lurk behind your left shoulder. Throwing salt over your left shoulder with your right hand is thought to blind the spirits and prevent them from harming you.

The belief suggests that while you’re distracted by cleaning up the spilled salt, evil spirits might take advantage of you. The Latin word for “left” is “sinister,” which has led to associations of the left side with evil. Conversely, the right side is often linked with goodness and angels in Christian tradition.

In Buddhism, it’s customary to throw salt over your shoulder after a funeral to ward off bad spirits.

Which Shoulder Should You Throw Salt Over?

While some believe it’s best to throw salt over the left shoulder, others prefer the right shoulder, or even both. Ultimately, the “correct” shoulder is the one you feel is best.

The left side of the body is considered the feminine, “receiving” side, where energy flows in. This idea supports the notion that evil spirits or energy might enter the body through the left side.

Origins of Throwing Salt Over Your Shoulder

In ancient times, salt was valuable, and spilling it was seen as bad luck. Salt’s ability to season and preserve food made it rare and precious. Spilling it was almost sacrilegious, so people began tossing salt over their shoulders to counteract the bad luck.

    Advertisement
  • Salt was so valuable that battles were fought over salt mines.
  • Cities like Salzburg, Austria (which means “Salt Castle” in German), developed near salt mines.
  • In ancient Rome, salt may have been used as currency. The word “salary” comes from the Latin “salarium,” derived from “sal” (salt). Roman soldiers might have been paid in salt or used their wages to buy it.
  • Phrases like “salt of the earth” and “not worth their salt” highlight salt’s historical importance.

Salt in Christian Beliefs

In the Bible, salt symbolizes purity, integrity, grace, and God’s covenant. Spilling salt was seen as an evil act, influenced by the devil. This belief is depicted in Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” where Judas is shown spilling salt, symbolizing betrayal.

This superstition also ties back to the story of Lot’s wife, who turned into a pillar of salt for disobeying angels’ warnings. Her betrayal and downfall reinforced the association of spilled salt with evil.

Christians began tossing salt over their left shoulder after spilling it to disable the devil and prevent him from causing harm.

Advertisement

Related Posts:

Heartwarming Video of Melania Trump

Advertisement A heartfelt video of Melania Trump comforting victims of the Los Angeles wildfire in her native language has gone viral, capturing the attention of millions. The touching moment, shared on X by user Johnny Maga, features a 30-second clip of the First Lady speaking to a woman in Slovenian, offering solace after the devastating ... Read more

She Underwent 43 Cosmetic Procedures to Transform into a Barbie Doll – Critics Claim She Resembles a ‘Zombie’

Advertisement Dalia Naeem, a 29-year-old actress and TV host from Baghdad, has undergone an astonishing 43 cosmetic procedures to transform herself into what she describes as her version of a real-life Barbie doll. Her dramatic transformation has sparked a wave of mixed reactions, with some fans dubbing her the “Iraqi Barbie,” while others criticize her ... Read more

Donald Trump Unveils the ‘Real Reason’ Behind Son Barron’s Remarkable Height

Advertisement Barron Trump stands significantly taller than both Donald and Melania Trump, but the president has recently revealed the ‘real’ reason behind his son’s impressive height. During Trump’s inauguration earlier this week (20 January), which was attended by numerous celebrities, the president briefly shifted the spotlight onto his youngest son, Barron. The 18-year-old played a ... Read more

Am I in the Wrong? A Thoughtful Reflection on Judging Others in Sacred Spaces

Advertisement A female churchgoer shared a story about a woman who visited their church and attended the service one Sunday. This woman had a body covered in tattoos and numerous piercings, which led the churchgoer to believe that her appearance and attire were not appropriate for a place of worship. For the churchgoer, the church ... Read more

Ivanka Trump Sparks Controversy and Faces Backlash

Advertisement Ivanka Trump’s striking appearance at the 2025 Liberty Inaugural Ball ignited a fiery online debate, as her bold wardrobe choice captured headlines and polarized public opinion. Ivanka donned a stunning replica of Audrey Hepburn’s legendary gown from the 1954 film Sabrina, paying homage to the timeless elegance of the Hollywood icon. The gown, originally crafted ... Read more

Elon Musk Steps In After Hearing Starbucks Employee’s Struggle to Buy Daughter a Gift

Advertisement Elon Musk, the visionary owner of X (formerly Twitter), Tesla, and SpaceX, who continues to play a significant role in the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, has once again demonstrated that beneath his immense wealth and influence lies a compassionate individual willing to step up for those in need. According to reports, while ... Read more

Leave a Comment