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What Does "wind at your back" Mean?  email this discussion to a friend?

myLot reputation of 98/100. EvrWonder (1930)   ranked 149 out of 19,259 in questions & answers 2 years ago

Have you ever heard the Irish Blessing

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields and,
Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.


What does the line "may the wind always be at your back" mean?

I have wondered this for a long time.
Recently I have found that the line comes from this Irish blessing but still am unsure of what the correct meaning is behind it.

Someone suggested that if one is aware of the Ireland weather, one will want the wind to be at ones back..

What are your ideas or knowledge of the meaning behind "wind at your back" please.

 

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tags:  wind at your back, irish blessing, wind, back, expression
 
1. myLot reputation of 97/100. oldchem1 (3564)   ranked 36 out of 19,259 in questions & answers   2 years ago

It is actually quite straight forward.
Imagine walking in a strong wind - if tat wind is coming towards you, it is more difficult to walk, but if it is 'at your back' it is helping you by pushing you along.
Works the same when sailing.

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2. myLot reputation of 83/100. Aussies2007 (3394)   ranked 4,823 out of 19,259 in questions & answers   2 years ago

It means exactly that.

For anyone who has ever travelled some long distance on a bicycle, they would know exactly what it means to have the wind in your back instead of in your face.
Riding a bicycle with the wind in your back is a pleasure.
Riding a bicycle with the wind in your face is hell.

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3. myLot reputation of 43/100. spacedementia (155)   2 years ago

Walking with the wind at your back is a lot easier than walking into the wind.

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4. myLot reputation of 62/100. redhotpogo (2272)   ranked 1,688 out of 19,259 in questions & answers   2 years ago

the first person nailed it. If the wind is in front of you, then its pushing you back. You're going to struggle alot, and not get very far. If the wind is at your back, then its pushing you forward, making things easier on you.

Its just a way of saying "may your journey through life not be a hard one."


myLot reputation of 98/100. EvrWonder (1930)   ranked 149 out of 19,259 in questions & answers  2 years ago

May your journey through life not be a hard one - Thank you redhot. Appreciate your response.


myLot reputation of 62/100. redhotpogo (2272)   ranked 1,688 out of 19,259 in questions & answers  2 years ago

yep. that's what I do.

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5. myLot reputation of 99/100. savypat (13312)   ranked 346 out of 19,259 in questions & answers   2 years ago

"Wind at your back", means it's helping you along your way. If you have ever walked into the wind you would know that it makes the trip much more difficult.

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6. myLot reputation of 92/100. rocketj1 (2435)   ranked 3,998 out of 19,259 in questions & answers   2 years ago

Ireland is known to be rainy and I assumed it meant that rather than the wind and rain blowing in your face, it blows at your back. Also wind blowing in your face on a really windy day, slows down your walk. Wind at your back (going in the same direction you are) would make you walk faster. Similar to floating downstream instead of upstream. Hope this helps!


myLot reputation of 98/100. EvrWonder (1930)   ranked 149 out of 19,259 in questions & answers  2 years ago

It does rocket, thanks. I never knew that Ireland is known to be rainy. Thank you for this insight.

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7. myLot reputation of 26/100. qamarep (4087)   ranked 9,101 out of 19,259 in questions & answers   2 years ago

this looks like a blessing of the kind arthur times..

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8. myLot reputation of 99/100. GardenGerty (35331)   ranked 54 out of 19,259 in questions & answers   2 years ago

These are all accurate. I would also add that even if the wind is from one side or the other it will tend to blow you off course. If the wind is coming from your front it can work its way in between the openings and chill you more as well.

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9. myLot reputation of 89/100. cripfemme (7251)   ranked 2,310 out of 19,259 in questions & answers   2 years ago

It means "may the wind always push you forward instead of pushing you back." You wish that someone you love and respect always has the wind at their back because it will help them do what they need to do.


myLot reputation of 98/100. EvrWonder (1930)   ranked 149 out of 19,259 in questions & answers  2 years ago

Excellent crip, thank you. The reason I asked this is because when I was going through some troubling time, I was wished for the Wind to always be at my back and although I had a hunch what it meant I wasn't exactly sure. Thank you for your response!

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10. myLot reputation of 99/100. cyrus123 (3255)   ranked 184 out of 19,259 in questions & answers   2 years ago

We sang this song when I was in the Glee Club in high school. I sing in the Walker County Christian Chorus and every year at Christmastime, we do The Messiah concert. The title of this song is "Old Irish Blessing" and we sang it as our benediction at the concert we did last Christmas. I have no idea what this line means, myself. It's a pretty song, though, and I had it on my profile page under my avatar for a long time. Maybe some of the other mylotters know.

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