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Why do we knock on wood?

By Lisa LaBracio on May 18, 2017 in TED-Ed Lessons

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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.

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Touching a tree would invoke the protection or blessing of the spirit within.

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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

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Tags: GIFs, Knock on Wood, Superstitions
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