Knock on Wood: The Superstition That Echoed Across Time

Written by: Daria Fuks

No matter where you are in the world, you have probably been told to knock on wood to keep bad luck away. This superstition is known all over and is believed by a variety of cultures. However, not all cultures practice it the same, and nobody can agree on where the superstition came from.

Origin

To this day, nobody is able to pinpoint exactly where the knock on wood superstition originated. The most common theory is that it originated from the Celts in central Europe around 1200 to 700 BC. These Celts were religious Pagans who believed that trees were the home of spirits and gods. According to them, knocking on these trees, or wood, called on the spirits and their protection.

Another theory comes from Jewish origins during the Spanish Inquisition, when Jewish people were not allowed to practice their faith. These people would have secret synagogues that only Jews were allowed to enter. To protect themselves, they created a code, relying on a set of knocks on the synagogue’s doors, which were made of wood.

Christians have also credited themselves with starting this superstition. They say it began with warding away evil spirits. To do this, they knocked on wood, which represented the wooden cross Jesus was crucified on.

Variations

No matter who you believe started this superstition, we can all agree that it is a very widely accepted one. Many cultures have their own tweaks and variations of the practice. For example, Turkish people pull one of their earlobes and then knock on wood. Italians don’t knock on wood at all, but replace it by saying “touch iron”.  In Latin America and Russia, they specify that the wood must be unpainted. Brazilians specify that there must be three knocks for good luck, while in Greece and the Middle East, they simply say the phrase instead of physically doing it.

Although no one can say for certain where the tradition of knocking on wood truly began, its lasting presence across cultures shows how everyone looks for comfort and protection. Whether it comes from ancient Celtic beliefs, secret synagogues, or Christian symbolism, the superstition continues to connect people and lasts throughout time.