blood is thicker than water
blood is thicker than water
Meaning
- family relations and bonds are closer than other relationships
- people who are related have stronger bonds with each other than with others
- blood relations are more important than other kinds of relations
Example Sentences
- When you get into trouble, usually your family will be the ones to bail you out, not your friends. After all, blood is thicker than water.
- My friends are going for a camping trip during the weekend, but I have to help my brother with his shifting. Blood is thicker than water, you know.
- I had to choose between attending my cousin’s and friend’s wedding, which were on the same day, and I chose my cousin’s. Blood is thicker than water, after all.
- When his sister was going through a difficult period and needed support, he dropped everything and went to stand by her; blood is thicker than water.
Origin
This phrase is an old one and was used in various forms. It existed in other languages also, with the earliest probable reference being in the 12th century in German. In English, there have been references in 1412 and 1670. In the present form, it was first found in the novel “Guy Mannering” in 1815 by Sir Walter Scott.
Share your opinions9 Opinions
It’s interesting to recognize that during ancient times there were two opposing religions, one related to blood, and one related to water. These people were megalithic builders, they constructed the megalithic structures of every ancient civilization.
The farmers of Anatolia and Mesopotamia worshipped water and life. As people who grew irrigated crops, they understood the importance of water in creating and maintaining life.
The European hunters worshipped blood and death. Their survival was dependent upon death and carnage. They had inherited genes and behavior from Northern European Neanderthals, who were cannibalistic. They created social hierarchy, slavery, human sacrifice, they practiced cannibalism, and they engaged in homicide, violence, and warfare. The genes and inherited behavior of ancient Europeans were responsible for every ancient cultural collapse and every fall of ancient civilizations.
These two groups, farmers and hunters met in Gobekli Tepe 10,000 years ago. This is when Gobekli Tepe was abandoned. Then 8,000 years ago Çatalhöyük was abandoned. 6,000 years ago the Late Chalcolithic Cultural Collapse occurred in Southeastern Europe.
At 4,600 years ago the First Dynasty of Ur invaded Mesopotamia with wheeled war chariots and bronze weapons. This is when the religion that worshipped water and life migrated by boat, becoming very prominent in Mohenjo-Daro, and in Ireland, and in Caral in Peru. But ultimately these people would be replaced by people who worshipped death, who buried their dead with weapons, rich grave goods, and red ocher, the color of blood.
At the time that Hittites and Egyptians were at war with each other, a mysterious group of people known only as the Sea People began to invade Egypt and Anatolia. This led to the Bronze Age Collapse. After this, the religion that worshipped water and life became prominent again in Anatolia and the Levant.
But some people retained the inherited behavior of cannibalistic Neanderthals, so war has continued until this day.
‒ John Dague February 25, 2022
The whole “blood of the covenant” nonsense is actually a recent invention and most certainly is not the original.
‒ Bazim-Gorag December 10, 2021
“The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb” Seems to be a more modern extrapolation of the other “Blood is thicker than water.” It is interesting that on the internet the first is now being given as the “origin” of the second. Yet nowhere can we find exactly where: “The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb” is quoted from, other than two books which made the claim without citing a source. It’s a form of “urban legend” now.
‒ Mark December 2, 2021
The extended version “The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.” is based on the Arab version, which is based of the old testament.
Basically, the old testament (regarding contracts) states that a contract in blood is more binding than a familiar bond.
While the Arabic version uses milk instead of water, supposedly meaning that the bond of battle-brothers who bled together is stronger than familiar bonds. While the current version goes back to the middle ages and really means that Family is most important.
At least that is how I was educated on what this could mean and that all three are real. Then I was told I would have to make my own decision on how to apply all three to my live and in what ranking.
And I have made my decision.
‒ Jaco January 26, 2021
Everyone who keeps saying it’s actually older or longer, you need to post some kind of reference to support your argument. Otherwise I assume you heard it was longer or older and don’t care about facts.
‒ Anon a mouse February 3, 2020
Yeah, this meaning is some what ok. The actual meaning is “family members have obligations with eachother than with people outside the family” and frame example with this
‒ Me November 2, 2019
It is actually “The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb” meaning relationship formed by choice are more powerful than those formed by family ties.
‒ Anonymous October 30, 2019
Nah, this has been the meaning since at least the 1300s. Someone made up some extra and now it gets passed around as fact.
‒ Nikki November 2, 2018
This is actual only todays meaning of the saying. It is actually blood of the covenant is thicker than water of the womb
‒ Me October 21, 2017