Trivia Where did "Blood is Thicker than Water" proverb originate?

[Kaplok Kaplok]

"Blood is thicker than water"
This is a well known proverb that we usually interpret to mean that familial bonds will be (should be) stronger than other relationships. This is one of the supporting proverbs we use to justify the Filipino value of having close family ties.

While this is a nice value to observe, it is also true that family ties has caused some great conflicts in the life of some people. Some are forced to support the whole family as an obligation. Some people in power are obligated to have favoritism towards family members giving rise to questionable activities like political dynasties, criminal cover-ups, or several different acts of unfairness in society.

But to me, being cynical, I just wonder "what does water have to do with other relationships? Is that what the proverb really meant? Where did the proverb even come from?"

"Ouch hoer ich sagen, das sippe blůt von wazzere niht verdirbet"
This is the earliest source, at least on wikipedia, translated in english it means
"I also hear it said that kin-blood is not spoiled (thinned) by water." It can be interpreted to mean that family bonds are not washed away by baptism (difference in religion perhaps?). Another interpretation could be familial bonds are not diminished by distance overseas.. OFW's might like this version.

"Blood is thicker than mother's milk"
Now, this one is an Arabic idea, saying blood is thicker than mother's milk. It can be interpreted to mean that blood brothers, or brothers who fought with together in bloodshed, has stronger bonds with brothers who shared the same breastmilk. This is a complete reversal in interpretation. it could be where the next version is rooted from.

"Blood of the covenant is thicker than water from the womb"
Despite being less... milky, interpration of this is almost identical to the Arabic idea earlier. Blood brothers has stronger bonds than brothers of the same mother. It is also reinterpreted that people you make bonds with are better than the bonds you did not have a say in. Because of the word covenant in 'blood covenant', which is usually used in Biblical terms, it is also interpreted to relate to Jesus' blood in the last supper, where the 'blood covenant' is the act of drinking his blood to signify a brotherhood, when the practice is viewed as a britherhood pact.
Christians can interpret this this duty to Jesus or God comes first before the duty for the family.

There are claims that this is the original proverb, and was just terribly misquoted. However there are also counterclaims that there are no sources pointing to this being the original.

 

[Reavr]

ok...

 

[Kaplok Kaplok]

Minor edits.

 

[NOUGHT]

The proverb "blood is thicker than water" originated in the medieval era, and the full phrase is actually "the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb." It was originally used to describe the importance of chosen relationships over familial ones. Over time, the phrase was shortened to its current version and is now commonly understood to mean that familial relationships are more important than non-familial ones.