Many other beliefs sprouted throughout history and folklore as well.
Knocking on wood wasn’t the only thing exclusively influenced by our reverence for trees. Trees move and make noise in the wind, so it’s no wonder to think that that the trees could house gods and spirits, a belief held by certain ancient peoples.Įven today, if you can reach a tree and touch the wood, it gives you a safe and protected feeling – a comforting thought rooted deep in our collective folklore memory. Some sources find the strongest link to ancient pagan Germanic cultures, who held beliefs that protective spirits lived within trees, according to Evelyn Russell at Touch Wood for Luck.īut really, you can find awe in the protective power of trees in many other cultures too, even similar sayings to “knock on wood” in languages like Arabic, Swedish, and countries like Trinidad and Tobago, and Brazil. It is not 100 percent certain from where exactly the saying originated. Because trees provided so much, certain cultures’ fondness – and even awe – of trees grew over time. For some ancient peoples, trees were likely a source of refuge and safety, climbed to avoid danger.įor others, they provided shelter and materials for fires, food, and medicine.
Think about it: so many cultures relied on trees. But the origins of this saying stretch way back in time to the beliefs of our ancestors. Some of us might knock on wood or talk about it without a second thought, as if it’s a perfectly normal thing to do (and it is, in many ways). It’s a habit many of us still uphold, especially when one is in need of some good luck, a bit of courage, or hope that something will go well.īut did you know that knocking on or touching wood is actually a tradition steeped in plant folklore? I’m sure it will make you think differently about the many trees, shrubs, and herbs you grow in your garden – or maybe get you to consider completely new and magical ones! Knocking on Wood Let’s take a deeper look at the plant world, ranging across cultures all around the world, and how their mystical influences still touch our lives in modern times – and even some peculiar beliefs we once had (or might still have) about them. Gardening, agriculture, and plant relationships have been very central to humanity so much so that folklore surrounding them found its way into ancient beliefs, customs, and mottos today, even the names of the plants themselves. So inspiring, in fact, that references to plants are more ingrained into our lives than we might think! The world of plants has long been inspiring and magical to many cultures.
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