Across many cultures, the act of rapping knuckles on wood is a widespread superstition, believed to attract good luck or repel misfortune. The phrase “knock on wood,” sometimes “touch wood” particularly in British English, has been a common expression since at least the 19th century. However, the true origins of this familiar custom remain shrouded in mystery, with various theories attempting to explain its beginnings.
Pagan and Ancient Roots of Wood Superstitions
One prevalent theory links the practice to ancient pagan beliefs. Cultures like the Celts held trees in high regard, believing them to be dwellings of spirits and gods. Knocking on a tree trunk might have been a way to awaken these spirits, seeking their protection or expressing gratitude for existing good fortune. In these ancient societies, trees were not merely objects of nature but were imbued with sacred significance, making them natural focal points for spiritual practices. This reverence for trees could have easily translated into customs involving interaction with their wooden forms to communicate with or invoke the powers believed to reside within.
Warding Off Evil: The Protective Knock
Another explanation suggests that knocking on wood was originally intended to deter evil spirits. The idea was that boasting about good luck could attract negative attention from malevolent entities, potentially leading to a reversal of fortune. By knocking on wood after speaking of good fortune, individuals may have believed they were preventing these lurking spirits from overhearing and jinxing their luck. This theory highlights a belief in a precarious balance of fate, where acknowledging good fortune aloud could make one vulnerable to unseen, negative forces. The knock, therefore, served as a preemptive measure, a way to remain humble and avoid tempting fate.
Christian Interpretations and the Holy Cross
Christian interpretations offer a different perspective, associating the act with the wood of the cross from the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In this context, touching wood could be seen as invoking the protection and blessings associated with this sacred object. This theory brings a religious dimension to the superstition, grounding it in Christian symbolism and beliefs. While less directly related to the act of “knocking,” the connection to the “wood” of the cross provides a meaningful explanation within a Christian framework for the practice of touching wood for good luck or protection.
The “Tiggy Touchwood” Game: A More Recent Origin?
Challenging the ancient origins theories, folklorist Steve Roud, in his book The Lore of the Playground, proposes a more recent and secular explanation. Roud traces the practice to a 19th-century children’s game known as “Tiggy Touchwood,” a variation of tag. In this game, players were safe from being tagged if they were touching wood, such as a door or a tree.
Roud argues that the protective aspect of “Tiggy Touchwood,” being well-known among both children and adults, is likely the true source of the modern superstition. He posits that the game’s association with seeking “protection” by touching wood directly translated into the adult superstitious behavior of “touch wood.” According to this perspective, the link to ancient tree spirits is not only unsubstantiated but “complete nonsense.”
Global Superstition and Lingering Mystery
While the definitive origin of “knock on wood” may remain elusive, its enduring popularity across the globe is undeniable. The superstition has even evolved into local variations in different cultures. For example, in Turkey, people often pull on their earlobe and knock on wood twice to ward off bad luck. Italians, on the other hand, say “touch iron” when seeking to avoid tempting fate, reflecting a cultural adaptation of the general superstition.
Despite the various theories, from ancient pagan roots to children’s games, the exact genesis of “knock on wood” continues to be debated. Regardless of its true origin, the act of knocking on wood persists as a testament to humanity’s enduring fascination with luck, chance, and the desire to influence fate, however subtly, through ritual and tradition.
