Where Did Knock on Wood Come From?

The term “Knock on Wood” isn’t as universal as you might think. “Touch wood” is the phrase used in Europe for example. But whether your knocking or touching, it still begs the question…

Where did the knock on wood  saying and practice come from?

To start, several cultures and groups around the world regarded trees as home to spirits hundreds of years ago. One assumption is that knocking on wood evolved from the routine of people laying their hands on trees while wishing for something or asking for a favor. Another common practice was knocking on trees to let the spirits within know they were present; in fact many in Ireland still practice this.

The phrase “Knock on wood” itself was noted as early as 1905 when an American newspaper claimed that the unexpected behavior of the weather was perhaps due to not knocking on wood earlier. Oops!

Regardless of which may be the most accurate, one thing for sure is that this tradition still holds its ground as one of the most widely practiced forms of drawing luck today. 

We’re just like the millions out there who find themselves saying “Knock on wood” all the time. Yet too often we feel shorthanded, searching around for real wood where we can put our knuckles to work.

So we created myKnockonWood!

Why not have little personalized wooden gifts and good luck charms by your side for when you need it the most we thought? With fresh designs on an elegant looking piece, our goal is to make it a great looking & fun gift for just about anyone. We’ll be rolling out new prints every so often & as always will always provide the highest quality product possible. 

We truly hope you love your myKnockonWood. Wishing you lots of good knocking and less moments when searching for something to knock on!