The superstition of never speaking while a clock is chiming is a long-held belief with roots in ancient traditions and medieval associations with death and the spirit world.

Historical Background

The foundation of this superstition lies in the historical significance of bells. Dating back to the classical era, bells were used in religious rituals and secular life. The Romans believed their sound could repel evil spirits. Bells also played a vital role in Jewish religious ceremonies, where priests wore robes with bells to ward off spirits. The tenth century saw the widespread use of bells in European churches and monasteries, used to summon monks to prayer, to signify a monk’s death, and during funeral rites. These religious associations fostered a link between bells and death that persists today.

Cultural Beliefs and the Power of Bells

The power attributed to bells grew during periods of widespread disease. During the Great Plague of 1665, church bells rang incessantly, marking the countless deaths. In Tournai, Belgium, continuous chiming from dawn till dusk was employed during a plague outbreak. The townspeople later credited their recovery to the bells, believing their sound cleared the miasma thought to spread the disease.

Evolution of the Superstition

From the fourteenth century onwards, as clocks with chiming bells became commonplace in towns and villages, the superstitious belief in the prophetic power of bells grew stronger. Folklore across Europe recounted stories of bells chiming between hours to warn of approaching dangers such as storms, fires, or highwaymen. In Britain, babies born while the bells were chiming, known as ‘chime children,’ were believed to possess special abilities such as healing, the ability to see spirits, and immunity from witchcraft. The chiming of bells during the singing of a hymn was considered an omen of imminent death.

Speaking During Chimes: A Recipe for Bad Luck

Speaking while a bell chimed was considered unlucky due to its association with death and the belief that it could attract evil spirits. Interrupting the chimes was thought to mark the speaker as the next to die. This fear, combined with other mystical wedding conventions, led to a 20th-century belief that if wedding vows were exchanged during the chiming of a clock, the groom would soon die.

Modern Interpretations

Fortunately, in modern times, the severity of this superstition has diminished. While speaking during the chiming of a clock may still be considered unlucky, it is typically thought to bring only ordinary bad luck, rather than invoke serious consequences such as death.