Very often, many traditions in everyday life are so familiar that you don't even try to think, but where did it come from? Why exactly and why at all?
For example, clinking glasses, glasses, shot glasses. What was it for? Where did this ritual come from?
Hypotheses for the emergence of tradition
The tradition of clinking glasses is very ancient, but it is impossible to say exactly when it appeared. The same applies to the cause. There are several theories as to why people started clinking glasses. But their reliability is only hypothetical.
The most consistent hypothesis is the "amulet". In ancient times, people explained many natural phenomena by outside interference. Everyone believed in ghosts, spirits and evil spirits. Only the ringing of the bells frightened away the otherworldly forces. The sound of clinking metal goblets resembles a bell ringing, so people believed that such a ceremony would save them from evil spirits. Moreover, such a ritual is easier to carry out than ringing bells during every feast.
Several more traditions of different peoples became confirmation. It is believed that while eating and drinking, an evil spirit can enter a person through the mouth. Therefore, many peoples have small ceremonies before drinking. For example, in some southern countries it was customary to ring the bell before drinking. And in religious Europe, it was customary to be baptized before drinking.
Another confirmation of the function of the amulet is the behavior at the funeral. Although alcohol is traditionally present on the table, it is not customary to clink glasses at the commemoration. This can scare away the spirit of the deceased who has not yet said goodbye to their family.
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And here is another version
This explanation has become more widespread. According to him, the tradition of clinking glasses was originally used only by the aristocracy. Those close to the king fought for power, titles and the right to choose the next heir by any means at hand. And pouring poison into drinking cups has become the most popular way to kill an opponent.
Clink glasses were accepted with a swing and splashes. Thus, the wine from the two bowls was mixed. And if one of the drinkers poisoned the drink, he himself would have suffered from the poison. For the same reason, aristocrats liked to exchange cups.
This hypothesis has its adherents, but there are no echoes of the appearance of the rite. Today, it is not customary to hit the glasses hard. And there is no other confirmation.
What version have you heard?