Do you say Gesundheit or God Bless You when someone sneezes? Just how powerful is a sneeze? Ancient Polynesian mythology tells the story of just such a natural but unexpected event during the creation of mankind. At the beginning of time, the Lords of Light ruled the earth, sea, and heaven. Mankind did not yet exist. One day, Creator took ordinary red clay in his hands and added several drops of his own blood. He kneaded the mixture well and shaped the moistened earth into his likeness. Creator then expelled his breath onto the figure made of earth and blood, and the first man immediately came to life and sneezed. The first man was called Tikiahua, or The Creator’s Sneeze.
The myth contains a seed of sophistication regarding the understanding of the relationship between matter and light and among the body, spirit, and soul. The Polynesians believed in three aspects or bodies of man. The first is the physical body, dense and earthbound. The second is the spirit, which is made of transparent matter and is like visible air. The third is the soul, which is composed solely of light. When the body dies, it releases the spirit. The spirit then dies as well, releasing the soul or final aspect of man. Polynesians acknowledge a sneeze by saying words that will wish the three aspects or bodies to remain together so that the spirit and soul do not separate from the physical body. The words act as a charm to keep the person alive during a sneeze.
Similar protective words are found in our Gesundheit, meaning good health, and God Bless You. This theme runs down through history and through many cultures. According to The Woman’s Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets by Barbara G. Walker, the Romans said “Jupiter preserve you” when someone sneezed. People in medieval times also spoke protective words toward someone who yawned, and modern Hindus use the technique of snapping their fingers at the yawner to keep the spirit and soul intact in the body.
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Paranormal Fantasy Romance
Fascinating. I do the God bless you thing, which I belived to come from the time of the great 17th century plague, as the first symptoms were sneezing, people would bless the sneezer and move off fast. The rest is new to me and I’m glad I read it.
It’s interesting how such a thing as blessing a sneezing person perpetuates among times and cultures. Thanks for stopping by, Daisy.
So interesting! I say God Bless You too. Sometimes even just “Bless you.” I never heard these tales, but there is one regarding animals and sneezing that I like. When Noah gathered all of the animals on the Ark, the lion sneezed and the cat was born. I always thought that was so cute. Maybe it’s because I like cats 🙂 As always, great post, Flossie!
Oh, I like that tale very much, Mae! Thanks for sharing it. Sounds like it could be a good children’s book. I like cats too and always had them growing up. Now I’m relegated to being a visiting kitty mama when I visit my son. His cat always sits on me and loves me like the dickens. Thanks for stopping by!