{"id":262,"date":"2024-05-03T11:43:27","date_gmt":"2024-05-03T11:43:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.worldspres.com\/?p=262"},"modified":"2024-05-03T12:18:30","modified_gmt":"2024-05-03T12:18:30","slug":"knock-on-wood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.worldspres.com\/knock-on-wood\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Do We Knock on Wood: Meaning, Origin & 7 Common Superstition\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"Knock<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Have you ever encountered people who knock on wood in the middle of a conversation? When people talk about their good luck or good luck for someone dear to them. They subconsciously knock on a piece of wood. A few of us so well engross in this conduct that we don’t understand the reasons why we’re making it happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In spite of the fact that we are familiar with the phrase “Knock on wood” a significant number of us are as yet uncertain of its importance or the beginning of this specific notion. Thus, we should know the significance and beginning<\/a> of the expression \u201cknock on wood.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why do people knock on wood?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

People in different cultures follow this custom of\u00a0\u201cknocking on wood\u201d\u00a0to bring good luck and wealth into their lives. In modern times, they believe\u00a0that if you say something about being lucky and knock on wood, you\u00a0won’t\u00a0lose it and are protecting your luck from jinxing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The expression\u00a0is most frequent\u00a0when there are significant stakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When people look at something significant and feel like these things are unrealistic. They will say “Knock on wood” in the conversation of telling others of their good luck. Some might even go and physically knock on a piece of wood while saying the phrase. It can be anything woody, such as a table and door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, someone who\u2019s never gone to the doctor might say something along with the phrase \u201cI have been fortunate enough to avoid any other serious health issues, knock on wood.\u201d Or someone who has never had an accident might say \u201c I haven\u2019t had an accident in so many years, knock on wood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where does the phrase \u201cKnock on wood\u201d Originated?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The origin of the superstition\u00a0\u201cKnock on wood\u201d\u00a0is uncertain. But it has been an essential part of British vernacular culture since the 19th century.\u00a0Some people believe that\u00a0the practice of knocking on wood\u00a0has come from the tradition of ancient superstitions\u00a0culture.\u00a0They believe wood and trees are a home of good spirits. Knocking on the wood was as seeking help from the\u00a0good\u00a0spirit and\u00a0making sure that\u00a0the\u00a0bad\u00a0spirit\u00a0couldn\u2019t\u00a0even touch you. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another theory suggests that the tradition of knocking on wood might have\u00a0been inspired\u00a0by a\u00a0children\u2019s\u00a0game\u00a0\u201cTiggy\u00a0Touchwood\u201d\u00a0in which players had to touch a piece of\u00a0wood\u00a0whenever they were being caught. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phycology behind the Knock on Wood:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over some time the practice of knocking on wood has become a common culture all over the countries. Usually, people knock on wood in the hope that it will protect them from jinx. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The psychological factor behind this superstition is that the sound of knocking wood can attract different psychological reactions. These reactions depend on personal beliefs and cultural training. It helps in evoking a sense of wonder, fear, and curiosity. This will make you feel that bad luck has been avoided. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Knocking on Wood?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Knocking on wood is a practice that is to help us in bringing good fortune. But why do we only say\u00a0\u201cknock on wood\u201d\u00a0or\u00a0\u201cTouch wood\u201d\u00a0and not say things like knock on metal, or touch iron?\u00a0Let\u2019s\u00a0learn the reason behind it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Pagans culture\u00a0they use trees\u00a0in human sacrifices. They believe\u00a0that these trees are houses of good spirits and other fortune creatures. Therefore\u00a0by\u00a0knocking on or touching a tree\u00a0people\u00a0request good spirits to bring good fortune\u00a0in their life. A second knock was an expression of gratitude.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Knocking on wood work?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Because knocking on wood is a\u00a0superstition\u00a0belief. It\u00a0can\u2019t\u00a0be said\u00a0that knocking on wood or saying a phrase will help in bringing good fortune in life. However, it has\u00a0been said\u00a0that it helps\u00a0in giving\u00a0peace of mind.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, in one study from the University of Chicago, researchers found a different behavior pattern in person. Knocking on wood in the hope of good luck fortune can evoke a person\u2019s confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So whether you believe in superstitions or you don\u2019t believe in. If it is helping you boost your confidence, attracting good things towards you, or feeling better, there\u2019s no harm in knocking on wood.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some Other Superstitions to Ward off Evil Spirits:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whether you want to ward off misfortune or maintain good luck and prosperity. These are some of the\u00a0common\u00a0practices followed\u00a0by numerous cultures<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Spitting<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In certain cultures, people believe that\u00a0<\/strong>Spitting over\u00a0one’s\u00a0shoulder after expressing hope or making a good speech will ward off evil spirits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Throwing salt<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In certain cultures\u00a0throwing\u00a0a pinch of salt over\u00a0one\u2019s\u00a0shoulder helps\u00a0in preventing\u00a0bad luck. However, try not to spill salt\u00a0all over the place\u00a0as\u00a0it attracts that evil spirit right next to your doorstep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Breaking a mirror: <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Breaking a mirror is a sign of bad luck in many cultures. People in different culture believe that bad luck\u00a0is going to\u00a0persist for seven whole years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Roman times, it\u00a0was said\u00a0that a mirror was a reflection of the soul, and breaking it would have\u00a0a significant effect on\u00a0a\u00a0person\u2019s\u00a0health.\u00a0However,\u00a0you can avoid this bad luck by\u00a0burying the broken mirror pieces under the moonlight.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Black cats crossing your path:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People consider black cats as bad luck in many cultures.\u00a0In other cultures\u00a0in\u00a0Europe people call cats companions of witches\u00a0and\u00a0crossing a black cat in your path means the devil is watching you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Carrying a four-leaf clover:  <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If someone finds a four-leaf clover,\u00a0it\u00a0is a fortunate in many societies.\u00a0People who carry one with them\u00a0are accepted\u00a0as a safeguard against misfortune.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Walking under a ladder<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is the most common superstition from the medieval era, Ladders\u00a0were frequently connected\u00a0with gallows.\u00a0This\u00a0is where individuals confronted death by hanging. Assuming somebody walked under the ladder,\u00a0it was accepted\u00a0that the person would ultimately confront their death by hanging.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Crossing fingers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Crossing a finger is a sign of good fortune. It is a simple gesture to attract good things and protect against bad luck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Knocking on wood is an odd conviction that draws in amazing good fortune. In this article, we have discussed the significance, meaning, and psychological factor behind knocking on wood. Additionally, we have also mentioned some other superstitions with their explanations<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Have you ever encountered people who knock on wood in the middle of a conversation? When people talk about their good luck or good luck for someone dear to them. They subconsciously knock on a piece of wood. A few of us so well engross in this conduct that we don’t understand the reasons why […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":263,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[66],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.worldspres.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/262"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.worldspres.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.worldspres.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.worldspres.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.worldspres.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=262"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.worldspres.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/262\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.worldspres.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/263"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.worldspres.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=262"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.worldspres.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=262"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.worldspres.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=262"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}