The practice of blessing someone after they sneeze is likely rooted in historical beliefs that a sneeze could be a sign of illness or even death, a belief not traditionally associated with coughing.
Here's a breakdown of the reasons:
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Historical Context: The Plague Connection: During outbreaks of plagues (like the bubonic plague), sneezing was a prominent symptom. It is believed that Pope Gregory I (Gregory the Great) suggested saying "God bless you" after a person sneezed in hopes that this prayer would protect them from an otherwise certain death. The phrase was essentially a quick prayer for the sneezer's health and survival.
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Sneezing and the Soul: Historically, some cultures believed that sneezing expelled the soul from the body, leaving the person vulnerable to evil spirits. Saying "God bless you" or a similar phrase was meant to prevent these spirits from entering the body or to wish the person well as their soul returned.
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Coughing vs. Sneezing Perception: While both coughing and sneezing can be symptoms of illness, sneezing was perhaps perceived as more sudden, violent, and potentially dangerous. Coughing, while also unpleasant, may not have carried the same level of perceived threat.
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Superstition and Tradition: Over time, the blessing after a sneeze became a cultural tradition, even as the original reasons faded. It's now largely a social custom, a polite response to someone sneezing. There was not a similar widespread tradition developed around coughing.
In summary, blessing a sneeze is a tradition linked to historical fears of illness, death, and the potential vulnerability of the sneezer, while coughing did not inspire the same level of concern or the development of a similar custom.
