That's why we knock on wood! Bashny.Net

Even if you're not too superstitious, then you probably know many will take that promises good luck in business or, on the contrary, a complete collapse. But do you know the origin of most of these will take?





Website lifts the veil of mystery of this tradition, like knocking on wood to scare away luck.

Many years before the appearance of the major world religions most of the people were Gentiles and many of them worshiped the trees. People give them magical properties and is used during certain rites, and also believed in trees inhabited by gods or spirits.

And now researchers Deborah Aaronson and Stefan Betchel believe that these ancient beliefs are tied tight modern tradition of knocking on a wooden surface or on the real wood, not to jinx some endeavor. In proof of this they cite two versions. The first is that in ancient times people living in Europe, drove from her the evil spirits that could eavesdrop on a secret conversation and mischief, with the help of knocking on wood.

In the second version before offering prayers of the people touched the tree, in requesting the fulfillment of their cherished dreams of living in the tree of God. Or so they showed their gratitude to the spirit of the tree for the fulfillment of their requests. Over time the religious background of this tradition was forgotten, but a strong link between having good luck and knocking on wood preserved for many centuries.

"We can say that, knocking on wood, people tried to protect themselves from the envy and evil spirits and the wrath of the gods. People feared that spirits and gods could confuse the plans of mortals too cocky, attributing good fortune only themselves or forget to Express our gratitude for the gift of grace," wrote Stefan Betchel in his "Book of fortune".

via mentalfloss.com/article/50079/why-do-we-knock-wood