Spiritual meaning of sneezing in a row (biblical and symbolic meaning)

As a theologian, I often hear people debating the spiritual meaning of sneezing because of it using the phrase, ‘God bless you.’

The other day as we were chatting with my colleagues, a friend sneezed three times in a row; one of us blessed him and said, it might be your lucky day today.

This got me so intrigued; Previously, I have heard so many myths and superstitions surrounding sneezing; his statement was not a new phenomenon to me.

I felt the need to dig deep to know more about sneezing numerously; I read several mythology books that gave me more insights into the topic.

During one of my online forums, I decided to ask the members if they had heard any spiritual meaning or superstitions surrounding sneezing.

Most of them said they knew sneezing was a biological occurrence due to different factors such as allergens. Since I had done my research well, I decided to engage them in a discussion.

So, I asked them, what is the spiritual meaning of sneezing in a row?”

In this article, through research on different myths behind sneezing, I aim to shed light on the spiritual meaning of sneezing in a row and address questions on the spiritual significance of sneezing and the biblical interpretation of sneezing in a row. Join me as we delve into the history behind this fascinating subject.

What does sneezing mean?

Sneezing is an involuntary removal of air irritating your nose or maybe throat. The action comes without a warning. Sneezing can raise concerns about your health.

Sternutation or sneezing occurs when the mucus membranes called trigeminal receptors are irritated. These membranes are usually sensitive.

Certain things cause one to sneeze; for instance, viruses from colds, allergens, nasal irritants, inhaling corticosteroids, and sudden withdrawal of drugs. You can keep away from sneezing by avoiding things that trigger sneezing.

If the sneeze occurs due to allergens, you can consult your doctor to identify things you might be allergic to avoid. Furthermore, over-the-counter antihistamines, nasal sprays, and saline solutions can help relieve one from sneezing.

What is the Spiritual Significance of Sneezing?

Sneezing is spiritually associated with good and bad omens. It is often believed that when a person sneezes, their soul leaves their body shortly. According to mythology, there is a spiritual meaning of sneezing at different hours of the day.

For instance, it is believed that sneezing early in the morning signifies a fresh start that symbolizes new opportunities ahead of you. When you sneeze at noontime when the sun is very bright, it is a belief that it spiritually represents fullness.

In addition, it is often interpreted that when you sneeze in the afternoon, it signifies the release of stress. It is a spiritual reminder to remove negative vibes and focus on the positive.

Lastly, it is a belief that when you sneeze in the evening, it spiritually signifies closure.

During the Middle Ages, sneezing was believed to be a blessing from God. People used to say “God bless you” after a sneeze. The belief assured them protection against evil spirits that entered the body to replace their soul.

Sneezing was also a way of spiritual cleansing by releasing the negative energy out of the body and removing the evil spirits that might be present in the body. That is the reason why sneezing was considered a sign of good luck.

In modern times, the spiritual significance of sneezing is individual and very subjective. It means that it is up to an individual to discern what the sneeze means.

However, spiritually it is interpreted that sneezing is a message from the universe which is supposed to bring people together.

What is the Biblical meaning of sneezing in a row?

According to the Bible, the story of Elisha and the Shunamite woman’s son contains an instance when sneezing occurred, 2 Kings 4:35 .

According to this verse, Elisha told God to open the eyes of his servant who was sick and on the verge of death.

The servant opened his eyes and sneezed seven times. That was an indication of God’s blessings. It also represented the resurrection of the dead and repentance of sins.

The sneezing was a reminder that God was in control of life. God was to be sought after in times of need like the servant of Elisha did. The sneezing signified that the son of the Shunamite woman was coming back to life.

What does it Mean When You Sneeze in a Row Spiritually according to the number of sneezes?

Sneezing can mean very different things depending on the number of times one sneezes, as illustrated below:

Sneezing One Time

Sneezing one time can mean two different things: first, it is a belief that sneezing is a sign of releasing negative energy, for instance, warding off evil spirits.

It is a belief that sneezing is a way of cleansing the Spirit from bad energies by allowing good energies to flow in the body.

There is no scientific proof to back it up; however, many people believe that sneezing is a sign of the body protecting one from harmful things.

Secondly, sneezing one time is a sign someone is speaking very well about you. According to East Asian cultures, it is a belief that sneezing once out of nowhere is a sign people are talking positive things about you and they are happy with what you might be doing at the time.

Sneezing 2 Times

Sneezing two times in a row could mean two things: one, it is believed someone is talking negatively about you, and two, you might have a poor relationship with your parents or friends.

According to different cultures, sneezing twice is a sign of negative vibes. It is a belief that if one sneezes and someone else blesses them, it means that person was thinking about you and that your health might be in danger.

Others say if you get no blessing, it means that people might be saying negative things behind your back.

Some cultures believe that sneezing twice in a row could mean you have strained relations with friends and relatives; it’s high time you sit down to solve the issues causing the poor relationship.

Sneezing 3 Times

Sneezing three times in a row has four different signals according to different cultures: Firstly, it can mean there is a secret that has been revealed that you intended to keep, there is a misfortune happening, and you are getting relieved from current problems.

Lastly, it means you have a secret admirer. According to Japanese culture, sneezing thrice is a notice for one to be careful when talking to people that are not trustworthy since they can reveal secrets to third parties.

According to some spiritual beliefs, sneezing thrice can signify a warning that your life is in danger. When this happens, one is supposed to be extra cautious and listen to their intuition.

It is a belief that by sneezing three times in a row, you will gain the strength and courage to face current problems that you might be experiencing.

Lastly, according to old tales, sneezing thrice can signify that someone is admiring you and what you do; thus, the sneeze should be considered a positive compliment.

Sneezing 4 Times

Many cultures consider sneezing four times in a row a bad omen and that something negative is happening to you; They believe that something unfortunate is happening or going to happen; They advise if you sneeze four times in a row, you should prepare for uncertainty.

Sneezing 5 Times

Sneezing five times in a row is often believed to be a warning sign; it is a sign for one to focus on their goals if they diverted their attention, especially on things that don’t matter.

Meaning of sneezing in a row according to the time of the day

Table1: Symbolism of sneezing based on time of the day

Time of the day	Symbolism
00:01 a.m. to 00:30 a.m.	It is believed your spouse is thinking about somebody else
00:31 a.m. to 01:00 a.m.	It is often interpreted a redhead loves you
00:01 a.m. to 01:30 a.m.	it is believed a tormented night is coming
01:31 a.m. to 02:00 a.m.	it is interpreted as a blonde love you
02:01 a.m. to 02:30 a.m.:	It is a belief a married man has you in his thoughts
02:31 a.m. to 03:00 a.m.	it is interpreted a boy wants to kiss you
03:01 a.m. to 03:30: a.m.	it is often interpreted as a brunette love you
03:31 a.m. to 04:00: a.m.	it is believed luck will smile down on you
04:01 a.m. to 04:30 a.m.	It is a belief you will experience love at first sight.
04:31 a.m. to 05:00 a.m.	it is believed that friends will help
05:01 a.m. to 05:30 a.m.	it is interpreted that a friend will disappoint
05:31 a.m. to 06:00 a.m.	it is a belief you will discover a lucky charm
06:01 a.m. to 06:30 a.m.	it is believed you will quickly make a friend
06:31 a.m. to 07:00 a.m.	it is a belief that an illness is waiting for you
07:01 a.m. to 07:30 a.m.	it is believed you will be happy all weekend
07:31 a.m. to 08:00 a.m.	it is often interpreted that you will be happy all-day
08:01 a.m. to 08:30 a.m.	It is believed you will receive a letter
08:31 a.m. to 09:00 a.m.	It is often interpreting adventures concerning your family
09:01 a.m. to 09:30 a.m.	It is believed a blond man is thinking of you
09:31 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.	It is often interpreted that a happy message will come
10:01 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.	It is believed a happy future is approaching
10:31 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.	It is a belief that someone is missing you.
11:01 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.	It is often interpreted that you will experience the joy
11:31 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.	It is a belief you should not be jealous
12:01 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.	It is believed that money expenditure is happening
12:31 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.	It is believed you will have an unforgettable day
1:01 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.	It often interprets that someone will kiss you
1:31 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.	It is a belief that a brunette is thinking of you
2:01 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.	It is believed you’re going to experience rejection
2:31 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.	It is often interpreted an argument is about to happen
3:01 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.	It is a belief that a dream will come true
3:31 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.	It is believed that he’s thinking of you
4:01 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.	It is often interpreted that you can bank on people who care for you
4:31 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.	It is often interpreted that we love you in secret
5:01 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.	It is believed we will visit you
5:31 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.	It is a belief that your partner will kiss you while thinking elsewhere
6:01 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.	It is often interpreted that you have a cash flow problem
6:31 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.	It is a belief an order will be delivered
7:01 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.	It is believed you should remain vigilant
7:31 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.	It is often interpreted that something has changed
8:01 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.	It is believed that your partner remains loyal
from sour8:31 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.	It is a belief that you will receive a gift
9:01 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.	It is often interpreted that you’ll have to say goodbye
9:31 p.m. to 10:h00 p.m.	It is believed a meeting will surprise you
2:01 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.	It is often interpreted you will be happy
10:31 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.	It is a belief that you will have a second kiss
11:01 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.	It is believed that someone is deceiving you.
11:31 p.m. to 00:00 a.m.	It is often interpreted that a phone call will surprise you.

Superstitions and myths about sneezing

Different communities and cultures around the world have superstitions and myths about sneezing; In this topic, I invite you to delve into some of the myths surrounding sneezing.

For instance; in East Asian countries, there is a belief that if you happen to sneeze, it means someone is talking behind your back.

In the culture of the Polish, Sneezing means that your mother-in-law might be talking badly behind your back; They also believe if you are not in marriage and you sneeze, you will have a bad relationship with your mother-in-law when you get married.

The Ancient Greeks believed that if someone sneezed, it was a sign that God was revealing the future to them; It could bring negative or positive vibes.

During the Middle age period, the Europeans believed that the breath taken out during sneezing would bring something fatal.

Among the Indians, when you sneezed before going to work was a misfortune. One was required to pause when sneezing and then drink some water to avoid bad omen.

According to Italian culture, if a bride heard a cat sneezing before the wedding day, she would have a happy marriage; However, if the cat sneezed three times in a row, the whole family would get a cold.

The following are beliefs that are not from a specific culture:

1. People believe if they are having a conversation and one happens to sneeze, it is a revelation of the truth in what they would have been saying.
2. People believe that sneezing is a sign of either good or bad luck; some myths include that when you sneeze between noon and midnight, you will be fortunate, while others believe it’s bad luck.
3. In addition, when one sneezes while dressing, it is a belief that a bad thing will occur to them.
4. Others believe that turning your head to the right while sneezing would be a good signal while turning on the left is a sign of bad luck
5. ; if two people sneezed concurrently, it was believed that God was happy and would bless his people with good health.

There are also myths surrounding the origin of the sneezing phrase; For instance, during the Plague of Justinian, it was believed Pope Gregory the Great started using the sneezing phrase ‘God bless you’ because he knew that people would not die after sneezing; he commanded people to bless anyone who sneezed to bring them back to life.

However, the Bible warns us against believing in superstitions. In Proverbs 2:6, the Bible encourages us to rely on God’s knowledge.

We should not focus much on whether sneezing in a row has any spiritual meaning because God is the one who has answers to what happens in our lives.

He assures us in Jeremiah 29:11 that he has good plans; the spiritual meaning of sneezing cannot surpass this plan.