The Origins of Superstitions: Why Do We Knock on Wood?
Have you ever bragged about your perfect driving record and then immediately reached out to tap the nearest table? Or mentioned how you’ve avoided a certain illness, only to find yourself instinctively rapping your knuckles against a doorframe? We’ve all done it. Knocking on wood is one of the most pervasive superstitions in the modern world, a little ritual we perform almost without thinking. It’s a tiny prayer to the universe, a hope that we haven’t just jinxed our good fortune. But why wood? And why knock? The answer isn't simple because, like an ancient tree with deep roots, this superstition has several possible origins stretching back thousands of years. Your simple tap connects you to pagan spirits, Christian folklore, and childhood games. Theory 1: Pagan Origins & The Spirits in the Trees Long before churches and textbooks, people believed the world was alive with spirits. Forests, in particular, were seen as magical, mysterious places. Dwelling Places for Gods: Many an...