The Story Behind 40 Days
The
concept of “quarantine” dates back to the 14th century, when ships arriving in Venice during the time of the Black Plague were required to anchor offshore for quaranta giorni—forty days—before passengers and crew could come ashore. This waiting period helped reduce the risk of spreading the deadly disease and is the root of the word quarantine.
Today, we use the word more broadly, but the practice originated from this blend of science, observation, and caution.
Interestingly, the number 40 appears often in history, religion, and literature—40 days of
Lent, 40 days of rain in the story of Noah’s Ark, and 40 years in the wilderness. It symbolizes a meaningful period of waiting, reflection, and transformation.
You don’t have to be stuck on a ship to appreciate the lesson. Sometimes, we need a pause—a season of waiting—to prepare for what’s next. Those "quarantine"
moments in life might not feel productive, but they can be the foundation for something better to come.
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