The Left Rules Part3: Devil and the Left

Devils are often associated with the left. One common superstition, still quite commonly exists today, is that it is unlucky to spill salt. However, one is supposed to take a bit of the spilled salt with one's right hand and throw it over his/her left shoulder to "offset" the bad luck. The reason, as many of you should know, is to try to throw the salt in the devil's face who is lurking over the left side of the body.

Why is left related to devils and the evil? Although the common name for devil, Satan, has no relation with "left" in Hebrew, the Talmud (a collection of oral laws of the Jews with explanations) says that there was a chief adversary (or "Chief of Satans") who ultimately became the Prince of Demons. Samael, the name of the adversary, is clearly related to se'mol, the Hebrew word for "the left side". This is believed to be the origin of referring "left" as evil. Interestingly, since people believe that the left side is evil, they would logically conclude that all evil acts are done with the left hand as well -- hence the Devil and the Chief of Satans must be left-handed. One should have noticed that all of Christian rituals are done with the right hand.