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It is believed the "devil" stands over the left shoulder of a person. As salt was once considered a symbol of wealth and prosperity, spilling it is thought of as wasteful and a means to tempt the "devil" into taking it from you. Throwing salt over your left shoulder is supposed to "blind the devil" into not seeing the opportunity to reduce your material wealth.

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14y ago
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8mo ago

The superstition of throwing salt over the shoulder originated from the belief that spilling salt was bad luck. By tossing the salt over one's left shoulder, it was believed that you could blind the devil who was supposedly standing behind you, waiting to snatch your soul.

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Q: What is the origin of salt over shoulder superstition?
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If one is superstition what shoulder should one throw salt?

over the left shoulder


What is the truth about throwing salt over your left shoulder?

Nothing its a stupid superstition


Is it bad luck when you throw salt over your shoulder?

Of course not. It's all superstition. In fact, according to the superstition, throwing salt over your shoulder counteracts other things that bring bad luck supposedly, like breaking a mirror or spilling salt.


Salt over the shoulder?

This superstition originates from the belief that spilling salt brings bad luck. Throwing salt over the left shoulder is thought to ward off this bad luck or to blind any evil spirits that may be lurking behind you. It is a common superstition in many cultures and is believed to protect against negative energy.


Which shoulder do you throw salt over?

Throwing salt over your left shoulder is a common superstition believed to help ward off evil spirits or bad luck. This practice is often associated with spilling salt, as salt was historically considered a valuable and protective substance.


What is the origin of throwing salt over your shoulder?

The superstition of throwing salt over your (left) shoulder came about because people once believed the Devil stood behind your left shoulder waiting for you to make a mistake or to influence you into making a mistake. Spilling salt, which was once used as part of a Roman soldier's salary and hence as money was believed to not only be wasteful, but bad luck. Throwing some of the spilled salt over your left shoulder would be throwing it into the Devil's eyes, thus blinding him to your mistake.


Why do some people throw salt over there shoulder?

Throwing salt over the shoulder is a superstition believed to ward off evil spirits or bad luck. It is thought that spilling salt brings bad luck, so throwing it over the shoulder is a way to counteract this belief.


What happens if you throw salt over your right shoulder?

Throwing salt over your right shoulder is a superstition believed to counteract bad luck or ward off evil spirits. The origin of this practice stems from ancient beliefs that the right side is associated with good fortune and protection. It is a common ritual performed to bring luck and positivity.


If one is superstitious over which shoulder should one throw salt?

Traditionally, if one is superstitious and spills salt, they should throw a pinch of salt over their left shoulder to ward off bad luck or evil spirits. This superstition comes from the belief that the devil tends to linger over one's left shoulder.


Why do some people throw spilt salt over their shoulders?

The superstition of throwing spilt salt over the shoulder is believed to ward off bad luck. It is thought to have originated from the idea that salt was a precious commodity and wasting it could anger evil spirits that might be nearby. By throwing salt over the left shoulder, one is believed to blind the evil spirits waiting there.


What do you do when you throw salt over shoulder?

If you have supersticions, you throw salt over your shoulder to get rid of them


What is the origin of spilling salt superstition?

Lots of superstitious people, when they spill salt, will take a pinch of it in their right hand and throw it backwards over their left shoulder. Superstition has it that, at all times, a devil waits over your left shoulder, and also that spilling salt is bad luck (perhaps because it used to be rare and precious). Hence, you can mitigate your bad luck by throwing salt into the eyes of the devil. There's also a belief that your guardian angel (who can be found over your right shoulder) spills salt to warn you of evil nearby. Either you throw the salt to hurt the devil or, as salt was valuable, as an offering to placate him. Like lots of other superstitions in a Christianized culture, it has a Christianized explanation: spilling salt is bad luck, because Judas spilled salt at the Last Supper. This is somewhat equivalent to the Christianized explanation for not sitting down thirteen at the table, and almost certainly a red herring.