It is no secret that even in our time, left-handed people are still being somehow excluded, especially when it comes to everyday products thought for the right-handed. With an estimate of 10 percent of the population being left-handed, it’s surprising how in some countries physical punishments are still practiced against the left-handed population.
In Japan, until a few decades ago, the fact that a wife was left-handed was reason enough to hate her and even divorce her. Likewise, in the Islamic world, using the left hand is synonymous with dirtiness, and in the case of the Norwegians, work done in an unsatisfactory manner is called “left-handed work.”
The English (left-handed) historian Thomas Carlyle proposed, in the 19th century, a theory that explained why the number of right-handers is greater than that of left-handers. He said that in ancient times, shields were used on the left hand to protect the heart; therefore, any weapon had to be held with the right one, and so over time, it would become the dominant hand.
What happened to left-handers in the Middle Ages?
In the Middle Ages, the Holy Inquisition considered the left-handed population to be the product of the devil or witches, so they were persecuted, imprisoned, and even burned at the stake. Other crimes that were punished were heresy, idolatry, magic or sorcery practices, and minor offenses such as blasphemy or bigamy.
The maximum penalty for most crimes was the justice of the secular arm, that is death at the stake. It was used mainly in cases of heresy, sorcery, and Judaizers, which means that this penalty was used to punish most of the left-handed people of that time. Until now, it has not been possible to say with certainty the number of those who served the sentence, since sometimes, it was only carried out symbolically.
What does the Bible say about left-handed people?
Within Christianity, symbolism is based solely on the right hand. The right hand was to give the blessing and make the sign of the cross. The Bible contains 100 favorable references to the right and 25 unfavorable references to the left.
What is so special about left-handed people?
Even though left-handed people have often been neglected and persecuted, a study from the University of Adelaide (Australia) claims that left-handed people know how to write better and even better dominate the right hemisphere.
Even important people around history have highlighted and demonstrated that the thoughts of decades ago are a complete myth. Albert Einstein, Leonardo Da Vinci, Beethoven, or Michelangelo stand out among the characters of history known to be left-handed. Talented sportsmen such as Lionel Messi, Rafa Nadal, Iker Casillas, and celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Julia Roberts, and Tom Cruise engross that list.
Why is Left-Handers Day celebrated on August 13?
Dean RR. Campbell chose that the day of the left-handed person was August 13, due to the superstitions that revolve around that number. Because it is associated with bad luck, a situation similar to that experienced by left-handed people, who were seen as abnormal, the idea was to shatter all prejudiced ideas around left-handed people.
So, to end and raise awareness about the discrimination suffered by left-handed people, since 1976, August 13 is celebrated as the International Day of the Left-Handed. This commemoration is also intended to publicize and help reduce the difficulties faced by left-handed people in a predominantly right-handed society.
Translated by María Isabel Carrasco Cara Chards
