Salt in Myth and Legend

[Korgoth]

I suspect that this coupled with the obvious observable benefits of salt form the root of legends about salt's protective or purifying power in later folkore and legend. Note that most folkore attributing protective or purifying powers to salt originated in predominantly Christian societies (e.g., Medieval Europe, Russia, etc).

Perhaps the origin is from II Kings 2:18-22. In that passage, the men of Jericho prevail upon Elisha to purify the bad water of their city. Elisha calls upon God for this miracle, and the matter employed is salt (which rather than bracking the water makes it pure). I think that's what the Catholic use of salt as a sacramental is based upon.

 

[Raven Crowking]

Interesting reading: The Magic of the Horseshoe: The Folk-lore Of Common Salt: VIII. Salt As A Magical Substance

As to why, I would add that salt is related also to the ocean and to blood.

Also, salt was somewhat rare and expensive. In the Middle Ages, where one sat in relation to the salt was important. Salt cellars were often elaborate and expensive affairs.

RC