A CONTRIBUTION TO THE HISTORY OF COMMON SALT

Salt has influenced human nutrition, health, politics, taxation, econo my, freight, transport, and commerce throughout the ages. All human ac tivities have been influenced by salt including economy, religious bel iefs and practices, art, literature, psychoanalysis, superstitions, an d exorcism. Salt is recognized as a symbol for friendship, hospitality , chastity, alliance, table fellowship, fidelity, fertility, blessing, curse and endurance, etc. The Bible is the first book of salt and con tains no fewer than 24 references to this substance. In the Gospels th e parable of salt is a central one. Many many church fathers have writ ten on salt a substance, which up to 1969 was a relevant element in th e rite of Baptism. This paper reviews the importance of common salt fo r human life, and by drawing from various scientific and literary sour ces makes a special discussion of its various symbolisms.