Some people believed that a sneeze causes the soul to escape the body through the nose. Saying "bless you" would stop the devil from claiming the person's freed soul. Others believed the opposite: that evil spirits use the sneeze as an opportunity to enter a person's body. read more
However, the saying God bless you was used both by Hebrews (Numbers 6:24) and the early Christians as a benediction. The practice of blessing someone after a sneeze is probably as old as the first century. read more
Sneeze responses from around the world: English – “Bless you” or “God bless you” German – “Gesundheit” Greeks and Romans – “Banish the Omen” Hindu – “Live” and responds “With you” Zulu – “I am now blessed” Interesting facts: Sneezes are an automatic reflex that can’t be stopped once sneezing starts. read more