As Seen On Quora: Why Demons Fear Salt

Demons being afraid of salt is a belief that has its roots in various mythologies, folklore, and religious traditions. While the exact origin of this belief is obscure, there are several explanations and associations that have been made over time.

1. Symbolism of Salt:

    - Salt has long been considered a purifier and a symbol of purity in many cultures and religions.
- In Judeo-Christian traditions, salt is associated with the eternal nature of God's covenant with Israel and is mentioned more than 30 times in the Bible.
- Salt is also used in food preservation and pharmacology, highlighting its healing and preserving properties.

2. Salt as a Protective Agent:
  

    - Salt has been believed to repel and protect against ghosts, demons, and evil spirits in various non-Christian religions.
- In supernatural lore, salt is often used by hunters to repel ghosts, demons, and other supernatural beings.
- Spilling a line of salt in front of entry points or creating a circle of salt around a victim is believed to prevent spirits from entering or attacking.
- Salt can also be used to force a spirit out of a human's body after possession.

3. Salt in Exorcisms and Rituals:
 

    - Salt is still used in exorcisms and purification rituals in various Christian churches.
- Holy water, which is prepared by exorcising and blessing salt and water, has been used historically against demons in exorcisms.
- Salt is used in Shinto rituals to purify an area and is thrown into the center of a sumo wrestling ring to drive off malevolent spirits.