The Surprising Stories Behind Seven Of The Most Common Superstitions

Published October 30, 2015
Updated September 26, 2018

Common Superstitions: Knocking On Wood

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This common superstition arises from Christian tradition. Churches around the world revere wood because it makes up the cross. By touching wood, one would ensure their own protection and happiness. Likewise, the church building is a sanctuary for whoever knocks on its wooden door.

Abandoned Church Common Superstitions

Image Source: Kerry Penn

Another story of this superstition’s origin comes from a time when people lived in wooden huts. The prosperous and healthy were afraid to speak of their good fortunes; envious, evil spirits could ruin and reverse it. When someone talked of their good fortune, they knocked loudly on the wooden walls to prevent any jealous eavesdroppers and spirits from hearing.

author
Briana Jones
author
Briana Jones is a freelance writer, screenwriter, and artist roaming the hot sands of the southwest. She enjoys the strange and unusual, and green tea.
editor
John Kuroski
editor
John Kuroski is the editorial director of All That's Interesting. He graduated from New York University with a degree in history, earning a place in the Phi Alpha Theta honor society for history students. An editor at All That's Interesting since 2015, his areas of interest include modern history and true crime.
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Jones, Briana. "The Surprising Stories Behind Seven Of The Most Common Superstitions." AllThatsInteresting.com, October 30, 2015, https://allthatsinteresting.com/common-superstitions. Accessed May 18, 2024.