Why do we knock on wood?
By Lisa LaBracio on May 18, 2017 in TED-Ed Lessons
![image](http://68.media.tumblr.com/5299057b298234d72fcc1023da07ad55/tumblr_inline_oozd4dZw3z1sndsvm_500.gif)
Chances are you’ve knocked on wood in the past month. But, really, why? Here’s one origin story:
Knocking on wood is thought to come from the folklore of the ancient Indo-Europeans, or possibly people who predated them, who believed that trees were home to various spirits.
![image](http://68.media.tumblr.com/f624af71eee1409ed030e22d4a846dc9/tumblr_inline_oozd4faNBL1sndsvm_500.gif)
Touching a tree would invoke the protection or blessing of the spirit within.
![image](http://68.media.tumblr.com/190d23b9d9e5096dc1085cc08adaac62/tumblr_inline_oozd4kv0fX1sndsvm_500.gif)
Somehow, this tradition has survived long after belief in these spirits had faded away.
To learn more about superstitions, watch this TED-Ed Lesson: Where do superstitions come from?
Art credit: TED-Ed/@jefflebars
Tags: GIFs, Knock on Wood, Superstitions