Salt and Traditions

Salt Traditions
Salt has a place in most countries traditions, from cradle to grave and much in between, here are a few. Ethiopia, Salt Bar Amoli Bars of salt were an important means of exchange, the Romans gave their legionnaires part of their pay in salt, the so-called salarium; the expression has survived up to this day in the word salary and in Africa, may people still trade salt for sorghum today. In Roman times new born babies were rubbed with salt on the eighth day after their birth to keep away evil spirits. Until the practise was abolished in 1408, French children were salted until they were baptised. In Holland the practise was modified to placing salt in the cradle with the infant. In the Pyrenees bridal couples went to church with salt in their left pockets to guard against impotence. In Germany salt is sprinkled over the brides shoes for good luck. It is also customary in some countries to offer salt and bread to newly weds instead of throwing confetti. (Our Lavender salt is ideal for this eco friendly practise.) In the Buddhist tradition salt repels evil spirits, the custom of throwing salt over your shoulder is thought to throw off any spirits clinging to your back. In 1933 the Dalai Lama was buried sitting up on a bed of salt. This was common among some ancient groups of people, the dying person was encouraged to sit up before death to make the process easier !! In Wales there was a tradition of putting a plate of bread and salt on the coffin. A local professional sin-eater would arrive to eat the salt before burial of the deceased. A popular custom still in use in a number of countries requires a handful of salt to be thrown into the coffin of the dead person before burial. Japanese Sumo wrestlers throw salt into the ring before entering to drive off malevolent spirits. Robert Burns recalled in 1789 that before moving into a new house a bowl of salt was carried into the house by relatives, the first object to be moved into the house was always the salt box. In India, Nagin women were sacred prostitues known as "wives of the snake god" From time to time they would give up salt and go begging, giving half of the proceeds to local priests to buying salt for the villagers. In Greece you can remove unwanted guests by sprinkling salt behind them or throw it over their shoulder, however this doesn't work very well if they see you do it, although they will probably still leaving quickly thinking that you've gone potty. The Hopi people believe that angry warrior twins punished mankind by placing salt deposits far away from civilisation just to make it hard and dangerous to collect. A 16th century book of Jewish law explains that the only safe way to handle salt is with the middle two fingers, if the thumb was used a man's child would die, use of the little finger would bring poverty and the use of the index finger would make him become a murderer. Lets just stick to our easy to use salt grinders !!!

Salt Traditions

Salt has a place in most countries traditions, from cradle to grave and much in between, here are a few.

Bars of salt were an important means of exchange, the Romans gave their legionnaires part of their pay in salt, the so-called salarium; the expression has survived up to this day in the word salary and in Africa, may people still trade salt for sorghum today.

In Roman times new born babies were rubbed with salt on the eighth day after their birth to keep away evil spirits.

Until the practise was abolished in 1408, French children were salted until they were baptised.

In Holland the practise was modified to placing salt in the cradle with the infant.

In the Pyrenees bridal couples went to church with salt in their left pockets to guard against impotence. In Germany salt is sprinkled over the brides shoes for good luck. It is also customary in some countries to offer salt and bread to newly weds instead of throwing confetti. (Our Lavender salt is ideal for this eco friendly practise.)

In the Buddhist tradition salt repels evil spirits, the custom of throwing salt over your shoulder is thought to throw off any spirits clinging to your back.

In 1933 the Dalai Lama was buried sitting up on a bed of salt. This was common among some ancient groups of people, the dying person was encouraged to sit up before death to make the process easier !!

In Wales there was a tradition of putting a plate of bread and salt on the coffin. A local professional sin-eater would arrive to eat the salt before burial of the deceased.

A popular custom still in use in a number of countries requires a handful of salt to be thrown into the coffin of the dead person before burial.

Japanese Sumo wrestlers throw salt into the ring before entering to drive off malevolent spirits.

Robert Burns recalled in 1789 that before moving into a new house a bowl of salt was carried into the house by relatives, the first object to be moved into the house was always the salt box.

In India, Nagin women were sacred prostitues known as "wives of the snake god" From time to time they would give up salt and go begging, giving half of the proceeds to local priests to buying salt for the villagers.

In Greece you can remove unwanted guests by sprinkling salt behind them or throw it over their shoulder, however this doesn't work very well if they see you do it, although they will probably still leaving quickly thinking that you've gone potty.

The Hopi people believe that angry warrior twins punished mankind by placing salt deposits far away from civilisation just to make it hard and dangerous to collect.

A 16th century book of Jewish law explains that the only safe way to handle salt is with the middle two fingers, if the thumb was used a man's child would die, use of the little finger would bring poverty and the use of the index finger would make him become a murderer. Lets just stick to our easy to use salt grinders !!!