The most common Indian belief about sneezing is that a single sneeze as you leave home or begin some work means an obstacle, so people pause for a moment before setting out, and in many places two sneezes in a row are lucky. That is tradition, not a forecast; a sneeze is simply the body clearing the nose. In Hindi it is chhink aana.
What tradition says
| Situation | Common belief |
|---|---|
| Your own single sneeze as you leave | An obstacle; pause, then go |
| Two sneezes in a row | Lucky in many places: "the obstacle is cut" |
| Someone else sneezing as you leave | A bad omen in some lists, not in others |
| A sneeze just as someone agrees to something | In places, a sign that it is true |
| A sneeze while eating | Someone is remembering you (like hiccups) |
| A baby sneezing | Lucky in some places; in others a reason to ward off the evil eye |
Along with pausing, many homes add drinking water, sitting down for a moment or saying "shubh-shubh". Interestingly, in some places a sneeze in the middle of someone's statement is read as confirming it, so the same sneeze is an obstacle in one place and a confirmation in another.
Where the belief comes from
Shakun tradition paid special attention to signs before a journey, and the sneeze, sudden and involuntary, naturally joined that list. In older times long journeys were risky, so any "hitch" before setting out became a reason to stop and think.
Other cultures attach customs to sneezing too. In Europe people say "bless you", and many stories are told about how that began. In ancient Greece and Rome a sneeze was sometimes taken as a sign from the gods. The habit of treating a sneeze as a "message" turns up in almost every culture.
Why we really sneeze
A sneeze is the nose's defence system. When something irritates the lining of the nose, the brain fires a sharp blast of air outward. Common triggers:
- dust, smoke, pollen
- strong smells: incense, perfume, chilli in hot oil
- cold air, or stepping suddenly into sunlight (some people sneeze at bright light)
- a cold
- allergy (allergic rhinitis)
There is also a plain reason people sneeze as they leave home: the moment the door opens, outside dust, air or sunlight suddenly reaches the nose.
When to see a doctor: if you sneeze every morning or right through a season, your nose stays blocked, your eyes itch, or you get breathless, see a doctor to check for allergy or asthma.
A simple suggestion
If you sneeze on your way out and pause, make use of it: check keys, phone, wallet and medicines. That is the most useful thing this old belief can do for you.
Read next
See signs when leaving home, a cat crossing your path and hiccups, or the full list of omens.