Are you one of the lucky few who’ve broken a bone in their life? If you are, you may be more special than you think. A theory is floating around online suggesting that people who’ve never had a broken bone might share some interesting spiritual qualities. While some people may dismiss this as superstition, others online have found themselves resonating deeply with the concept. This new and fascinating theory has sparked conversations about protection, suffering, and spiritual connections.

The Viral Phenomenon

The “Never Broke a Bone” theory has gained traction across multiple social media platforms, but especially on TikTok. Multiple videos explaining the theory have amassed, gaining thousands of views with vibrant discussions below. Commenters have expressed skepticism, recognition, and everything in between online. Self-described psychic and medium Rachel Stiles brought these concepts to the forefront by outlining four distinct theories about people who’ve never experienced a broken bone. The explanations she gave resonated with a large number of followers, and their popularity speaks to the enduring fascination we have with finding meaning in our seemingly random lived experiences.

Divine Protection Theory

The first theory posits that individuals who haven’t broken a bone before might be on the receiving end of supernatural protection. The belief is that guardian angels, spirit guides, or maybe even deceased loved ones are actively shielding people from physical harm. This concept has apparent biblical roots, to quote Psalm 34:19-20: “The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.” People who’ve never had a broken bone despite being in dangerous situations in their past find comfort in this explanation. It is common in religious circles to share stories of miraculous near-misses and instances where there should have been a serious injury but somehow escaped unscathed.

The Emotional Suffering Balance

The second theory suggests that those people without any broken bones might be preparing to endure greater emotional suffering, and the lack of physical pain is the universe finding cosmic balance. The logic here is that some people are given stronger physical frames to help them endure greater emotional or psychological challenges than the average person. Many people have found solace with this theory because they themselves have gone through intense emotional turmoil, relationship difficulties, or mental health struggles while also having physically resilient bodies. This perspective may give a framework to understanding why some people seem to deal with disproportionately more difficult scenarios than others while remaining physically unscathed.

Reincarnation and Soul Development

The third theory is about the absence of broken bones and reincarnation – individuals who’ve never broken a bone may have a souls with “spiritual strength” gained through past lives. Those with this belief think if a soul experienced serious physical trauma or injuries in a previous life, it might now be living a life where physical safety is more prominently emphasized. Never breaking a bone is a symbol of a soul having endured enough in past lives, making the incarnation more safe and protected. Obviously this theory carries more weight for people who believe in past lives and reincarnation, and some have reported feeling more fearful or having greater aversion to situations that could lead to broken bones. These feelings may be echoes from traumatic past life experiences.

Read More: Seventeen “Conspiracy Theories” That Turned Out To Be Completely True

Ancestral Connection and Strength

The final theory focuses on the significance of bones in various cultures worldwide and their connection to ancestral wisdom. By this logic, never breaking a bone might be an indication of a deep strength, a connection to one’s ancestors. Strength here is defined by the flowing of one’s ancestors through a person’s unbroken skeleton. Some people online have described a feeling of responsibility toward their family lineage, while others describe a strong pull toward traditions and practices. This perspective sees an intact skeleton as the literal physical manifestation their ancestors protecting them and the continuity of their lineage. This belief is more common amongst indigenous cultures, as there is a special importance on bones as the most enduring part of the human body – therefore connecting it as a physical link between generations.

Scientific Perspectives

Looking beyond the spiritual, science says that genetics does play a role in bone density and strength. There are some people who do naturally have stronger bones than others. Your lifestyle also plays a role – nutrition, exercise, and performing risky activities can also substantially influence the likelihood of having a broken bone. People with medical conditions like osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease) are extremely prone to fractures, while others might have unusually dense or flexible bones that can resist being broken. Research also suggests that never breaking a bone might simply reflect a combination of good luck, cautious behavior, and favorable genetics, rather than any kind of supernatural explanation.

Cultural Significance and Interpretations

The theory exists in a broader cultural context of finding meaning in different ways people live their lives, including our physical experiences and conditions. Across history, we can see different cultures assigning spiritual significance to various physical parts, states, and characteristics. In some traditions, bones are our foundation, deeply connected to our ancestry. The Bible makes references to bones often, usually metaphorically, for spiritual strength and divine protection. In Exodus 12, God tells the Israelites not to break the bones of the Passover lamb, with some interpreting that as a symbol of protection and purity. Unbroken bones appear all over different religions and cultures, suggesting a universal human need to find something deeper in our experiences.

Finding Personal Meaning

These theories, true or not, offer an interesting framework for self-reflection and understanding. If you’ve never broken a bone, see if you recognize any of these explanations and feel aligned with them. Have you avoided a freak accident a dangerous situation? Does it feel like you’ve endured overwhelming emotional challenges but physically have always been fine? How about a strong connection to your ancestors or past lives? Theories can provide comfort and meaning for people trying to make sense of their life experiences, these ones are no different. They remind us that humans crave patterns and significance in the seemingly random, and hope to create narratives that help us understand our place in the universe.