Throwing salt over the shoulder

It was that kind of weekend, the weekend where all the family comes down to visit and everyone sits down to have a great home cooked meal( Unless that is just my want to be Italian family). So as the salt and pepper shakers come out for the food and as you to salt the vegetables you miss the bowl. So what do you do? Do you throw it in the ground, clean it off or like me, throw the salt over your shoulder. I always put the salt in my hands and throw it over my left shoulder to keep the bad luck away. Everyone must be wondering by now, why do we do it? I never knew why I watched my grandma do it since I was young and continued to do so.

            There is a rumour that the salt in related to the last supper. In the painting by Leonardo da Vinvi Judas knocked over the salt with his elbow. They say because of Judas Iscariot spilt the salt it is associated with treachery and lies. You throw the salt over your shoulder to blind the devil who is already waiting behind you ( dailymail).

            Another reason which might be a little bit more realistic

is still the same idea. Legends believe the devil is always standing behind you, throwing salt in his eyes would distract him from any harm or trouble. People do this after spilling salt because salt was an expensive thing to have and it was unlucky to spill, which meant it would be wasteful(glo.msn.com).

            The problem is we will never know the true meaning because we cannot go back in the past and figure it out. We are left behind with few traces of evidence and story telling to create habits such as throwing the salt over the shoulder. What I have gained to learn is that the devil is always over my shoulder. Although I believe God will always be more powerful. I leave the same question to you guys again, what do you believe? Will you start tossing the salt to save yourself from the devil?

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1385380/Why-throw-salt-shoulder-superstitions-answered.html#ixzz2hkfbIHBg

 

http://glo.msn.com/living/the-meaning-behind-common-superstitions-7020.gallery?photoId=42447