Bread and salt

Bread and salt are as emblematic gift in many countries, a custom that is maintained on different occasions. Events include the visit of welcome guests, the moving into a new apartment or the entry into the married state.

History

Bread and salt were and are in many cultures as the staple food par excellence. Originally it the salt in regions where its procurement was associated with great difficulties and high costs, the character of Precious, often of Luxurious adhered to. However, both were not missing food in a simple or poorer households. It was their presence not only in a context of work done. Stronger than today was felt in earlier times, the dependence on non- controllable factors. These included natural disasters, crop failures, and wars, behind which it was supposed supernatural powers. Therefore, the daily bread and the salt in the soup were gifts of heaven that have requested and wanted to be awarded on special occasions of happiness and blessings to each other. When heaven presents were bread and salt also repellents against evil.

Not only for the members of a household, even for the unannounced guest had enough bread and salt are available. In various peoples played the common consumption of the staple food in the context of the " idea of the host, protection and friendship right " a major role. Here emerged such as in ancient Israel so-called salt covenants were considered inviolable.

By the time the bread and salt were metaphors for the necessities of life ( bread) and for spiciness (and preservation ) of life ( salt). In its interpretation of the fourth Lord's Prayer - Please Martin Luther filled the term daily bread, for example: "Everything that is needful for life and limb, such as food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, home, land, cattle, money and property pious spouses, pious children, pious servants, pious and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, discipline, honor, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like. "

Symbolism

The gift symbolizes the desire for community, prosperity and settled life. At the same time the gift of the devil and against evil spells and curses to protect. Because salt was particularly valuable: It was also used to preserve food.

In ancient times, the Greek goddess Demeter - the Roman equivalent of Ceres - responsible for the fertility of the grain. Roman soldiers received the salarium as remuneration.

In the Bible it is said over the bread: "Jesus answered them, I am the bread of life; He who comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty "(Jn 6.35 EU). The verse "You are the salt of the earth [ ... ] " (Matthew 5.13 EU) refers to the Old Testament where the term " covenant of salt " is used in Num 18,19 EU as a symbol of resistance.

Customs

Be given away bread and salt for different reasons:

• To the wedding for a permanent alliance between spouses
• To move into a house or apartment to wish sedentary, prosperity and fertility, often associated with the verse " bread and salt, they never get old "

Bread and salt are added to the diaper in Northern Germany and Bohemia a newborn. In Transylvania served bread and salt to protect against weather demons. With bread and salt Guests are welcomed as a sign of hospitality traditional.