Blood Is Thicker Than Water

Many of us have heard this Proverb and it is often used by toxic or abusive family members to excuse their bad behaviour and to guilt-trip you into remaining within that toxic family system.

However, did you know that this phrase “Blood is thicker than water” is not even a real Proverb?

It is a perversion and bastardisation of the original Proverb, which says “The Blood Of The Covenant Is Thicker Than The Water Of The Womb” which means the EXACT opposite of what abusers purport it to be.

The “water of the womb” refers to bonds through family as we come from a common mother or common grandmother.

These are the bonds that we are born into

The “blood of the covenant” refers to bonds that we deliberately enter into, such as deep friendships and marriage……as long as we chose a healthy, non-toxic spouse.

Thus, “the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb” generally means the bonds we have willingly chosen to enter into (blood of the covenant) are thicker, stronger and more important than familial bonds…….ESPECIALLY if those family bonds are toxic or abusive.

Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, pray for us.