Meanings of “Blood Is Thicker Than Water”
The proverb “blood is thicker than water” means that family relationships and familial bonds are stronger than friendships, influential relationships, and links. It is applied in military terms for soldiers in that they are closer to each other than civilians. In the army, each soldier considers them as a family as they are willing to risk their lives to save each other.
Origin of “Blood Is Thicker Than Water”
The proverb “blood is thicker than water” is stated to have appeared first in Collect Scots Proverbs by Allman Ramsay in its edition published in 1737, where it goes thus; “Blude’s thicker than water.” Despite claims that it has appeared earlier, there is no print record in the English language. Since then, it has been in use in the same wording except for the standardization of spellings.
Examples in Literature
Example #1
Blood is Thicker Than Water by Vickie Kilgore
Blood is thicker than water as youth we were told,
But families are divided and their veins run so cold.Funerals seem to be the only time they gather or talk,
Hard times are the only time on your door they knock.From birth was taught family values and love implanted,
Feeling alone, unappreciated, and so taken for granted.Could it possibly be they are feeling the same as me,
A visit, phone call, or text message could be the key.They say I love you and to please call if ever in need,
Love from family is what my heart desires indeed.Oh, how I miss my grandma cooking in the kitchen,
Always a blessing to gather and see everyone pitch in.We shamefully have not carried on the traditions,
Of our loved ones gone before us full of ambitions.Pride was instilled to honor thy father and mother,
To stand behind and support your sister and brother.
This excellent poem explains this proverb in its true spirit. The poet believes that materialism has robbed us of the love that we used to feel for our family members. He urged his readers to shun the busy life, take out some time for your loved ones, make a call, and tell them that you love them. The relationship should be put first, as mentioned in the phrase – blood is thicker than water.
Example #2
Blood’s Thicker Than Water
Don’t let the shine leave your lights
River won’t run in a straight line
A friend of mine
Blood’s thicker than water
Don’t fall from grace with open skies
Leading the blind with open eyes
No compromise
Blood’s thicker than water
Blood’s thicker than waterLa la la la la la la la hey hey hey
Don’t let the shine leave your lights
River won’t run in a straight line
A friend of mine
Blood’s thicker than waterDon’t fall from grace with open skies
Leading the blind with open eyes
No compromise
Blood’s thicker than water
Blood’s thicker than water
The above stanzas sum up the close relationships and their importance in life. The singer compares the rivers with relationships that do not run in straight lines. Therefore, a person should not fall from the grace of accepting relationships as compromises. The proverb has been repeated several times as a repetition, a literary device that shows the stress upon a point.
Example #3
Blood Is Thicker Than Water – Eddie Floyd
I know blood is thicker than water
But who you gonna satisfy?
I know in your mother’s eye
You’re the only baby child
(Baby child, baby child)I know blood is thicker than water
But I just can’t come and see
If you let your family stand between you and me
(You and me, you and me)
The above stanzas express the phrase in a negative sense. The singer asks his girlfriend if she would choose him and her mother. He also reminds her about the relationship between her mother and herself using the phrase.
Example #4
Blood Is Thicker Than Water by Michael Cannon
The novel is set in Irish background. It’s the story of Tom Casey, who was allegedly tried for a false molestation case and a lawyer who is determined to make him come out from the prison. Michael Cannon tells the story of this Catholic family who campaigns for his release. The meanings of the proverb become clear when the story comes to an end that family relationships are often stronger than other relations.
Example in Sentences
Example #1: “Hatter was heartbroken when his friends didn’t invite him to the party. His brother took him for a treat and reminded him that blood is thicker than water.”
Example #2: “The sergeant announced the final training and said ‘on the battlefield, your battalion is your family and remember blood is thicker than water.”
Example #3: “Often we think that blood is thicker than water, but friends also help us in the times of need.”
Example #4: “Parents love expresses the truth that blood is thicker than water because they do anything for their children.”
Example #5: “When friends become family, our bonds grow stronger as well. As they are family, we can believe that the blood is thicker than water.”