Fancy swallowing a sword?

There are less than a dozen professional sword swallowers practicing in the world today. Today, 27 February, marks the ninth annual World Sword Swallower’s Day.

Sword Swallowers Day was created to celebrate and honour the daring performers who risk their lives to entertain audiences, promote the ancient art of sword swallowing, honour veteran performers, raise awareness of medical contributions sword swallowers have made in medicine and science as well as to raise funds for esophageal cancer research and the Injured Sword Swallowers Relief Fund.

Here are some facts about sword swallowing you probably didn’t know:

1. Sword swallowing originated over 4 000 years ago in India.

2. Most sword swallowers swallow swords without the use of a pre-swallowed protective guiding sheath due to discomfort.

3. Some sword swallowers, like Veronica Hernandez and Kill Jill, perform while pregnant without harming their babies.

4. Only 1 in 250 million people know how to sword swallow.

5. Many beginner sword swallowers practice using a wire coat hanger.

Have you ever seen a sword swallower?

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