There are times when people even knock on their own heads for luck when there is no wood around. Today, it is acceptable to knock on wood-like surfaces for good luck. By the 1900s, the Americans and British were doing the same. These refuges saved many lives, and it then became common to knock on wood to bring good luck.īy the 1800s, even children?s games included rhymes about knocking on wood for luck.
The Jews fled to wooden-built synagogues for refuge and came up with a specific knock code to be let in. A Jewish version of the superstition traces back to the Spanish Inquisition of the 15 th century. Some people believed that knocking on wood was associated with the Cross. Touching those trees brought good luck.Īs many early pagan beliefs became part of Christian beliefs, this superstition may have been one of them. When a second spy ring learns of the plans, they descend upon the ventriloquist, causing city-wide pandemonium. Discovering that a ventriloquist is travelling to Zurich, a spy ring hides secret plans in his dummies' heads. With Danny Kaye, Mai Zetterling, Torin Thatcher, David Burns. It is a fitting time to reflect on the popular devotion of the rosary and to grow in appreciation of it throughout the year. Knock on Wood: Directed by Melvin Frank, Norman Panama. After all, the saying knock on wood has a Catholic connection to the holy rosary and to the Cross. Hill, Brotherhood of Man, Reuben Wilson, Nat Brown and other artists. Knock on wood, here’s hoping Mary’s intercession through all those rosaries said during the month will help bring peace and healing to our world. The Greeks worshiped the Oak tree because it was sacred to Zeus and the Celts believed in spirits living in trees. Eddie Floyd originally recorded Knock on Wood written by Steve Cropper and Eddie Floyd and Eddie Floyd released it on the single Knock on Wood in 1966. Irish folklore states that the act of touching wood sends a thank you to leprechauns for some good luck. It was also seen as a thank-you gesture to the spirits or gods for bringing good luck and blessings.
It is believed by some that the superstition dates back to ancient pagan times and the belief that spirits or deities lived in trees, and knocking on the tree or touching it would acknowledge them and call upon them for protection from misfortune. One can also knock on wood three times after talking about something lucky or serendipitous, in order to ward off the evil spirits who might purposely ruin it. To knock on wood or to touch wood is done to ward off unlucky consequences, get rid of evil spirits, to undo something that is said that could possibly tempt fate or to bring good luck.