Full Version: Touch Wood Expression
Someone recently told me that the expression, "touch wood" is from a pagan belief, is it? and if so, whats the meaning?
It supposedly has something to do with the Druids and their reverence of trees - especially oak. I think the idea of touching wood is either meant to attract luck or ward off ill fate. Will have a look at my books this evening, unless someone else knows what it's about.
did a search on google for this one and found the following
another one
QUOTE
Question
When you wish to ward off bad fate, you say:
" Touch wood "
Where does it come from ?
Tks
Answer
To knock on wood or to touch wood is something that well is very common and there are several theories about the origin of this practice.
One goes back to the child's game 'tag'. In one version of this game the child who is able to touch a tree, thereby touching wood, is free from capture.
Then there is the Biblical theory that the wood symbolizes the cross on which Christ was crucified. In Galatians (6:14) we find
"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."
The theory here is that if you have made an exaggerated boast you will be forgiven if you turn your thoughts to the Cross.
Still another notion is that knocking on wood goes far back into ancient times, when spirits were thought to live in trees. So should danger threaten, simply rap the trunk of a tree and summon up the aid of a good spirit within.
There is an Irish belief that you knock on wood to let the leprechauns know you are thanking them for a bit of good luck.
A Jewish version says it originated during the Spanish Inquisition under Torquemada during the 1490s. During that time Jews were in flight and since temples and synagogues were built of wood, they evolved a code to use in knocking on doors to gain admission. Since this resulted in lives being saved, it became commonplace to knock on wood for good luck.
When you wish to ward off bad fate, you say:
" Touch wood "
Where does it come from ?
Tks
Answer
To knock on wood or to touch wood is something that well is very common and there are several theories about the origin of this practice.
One goes back to the child's game 'tag'. In one version of this game the child who is able to touch a tree, thereby touching wood, is free from capture.
Then there is the Biblical theory that the wood symbolizes the cross on which Christ was crucified. In Galatians (6:14) we find
"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."
The theory here is that if you have made an exaggerated boast you will be forgiven if you turn your thoughts to the Cross.
Still another notion is that knocking on wood goes far back into ancient times, when spirits were thought to live in trees. So should danger threaten, simply rap the trunk of a tree and summon up the aid of a good spirit within.
There is an Irish belief that you knock on wood to let the leprechauns know you are thanking them for a bit of good luck.
A Jewish version says it originated during the Spanish Inquisition under Torquemada during the 1490s. During that time Jews were in flight and since temples and synagogues were built of wood, they evolved a code to use in knocking on doors to gain admission. Since this resulted in lives being saved, it became commonplace to knock on wood for good luck.
another one
QUOTE
Where does the phrase 'touch wood' come from?
(Folklore/proverbial expressions)
There is no evidence to suggest that this phrase is anything other than the legacy of a children's game (such as tig) where 'touching wood', or being 'in den' or saying 'keys' prevented one from being caught. There is no evidence of it having been used before the 19th century - which would suggest no earlier pagan or Christian origins.
(extract from the "Guardian Unlimited's "Notes and Queries" site)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/notesandqueries/...,-22199,00.html
(Folklore/proverbial expressions)
There is no evidence to suggest that this phrase is anything other than the legacy of a children's game (such as tig) where 'touching wood', or being 'in den' or saying 'keys' prevented one from being caught. There is no evidence of it having been used before the 19th century - which would suggest no earlier pagan or Christian origins.
(extract from the "Guardian Unlimited's "Notes and Queries" site)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/notesandqueries/...,-22199,00.html
I have wondered about this phrase before. I do not know its origins, but my family in Spain use the exact expression, and in the same way as we do. So maybe there is truth in the Spanish Inquisition theory. Either way, it hints at an origin earlier than the 19th C.
Mike
Mike
I would doubt we'll know the real origins of the expression now. I would also think it more likely to be of a folklore origin in this country than classed as a pagan belief, since both xtains and Pagans would have touched the trees for luck. My understanding is it that it is connected to tree spirits, or dryads 
I like the Irish one of thanking the leprechauns for good luck!
That's the origin I'm going to believe!
That's the origin I'm going to believe!
I didn't realise it was so old.
At Clearwell Caves someone told me that throwing a penny into a well was a replacement for throwing severed heads in water as offerings - because of the Queen's head on the coin.
The guy was a Free Minor, I think his family possibly invented the original concept
At Clearwell Caves someone told me that throwing a penny into a well was a replacement for throwing severed heads in water as offerings - because of the Queen's head on the coin.
The guy was a Free Minor, I think his family possibly invented the original concept
And considering some of the highly suspect gyrations of today's rappers, might I suggest this activity has evolved since its inception?
The Oak stands for energy or life force. Even now if you look closely at an old oak tree on a common, you are liable to find ribbons, money, photographs and trinkets lodged in cracks in the bark. It's the same tradition that makes people slit a champagne cork, force a coin in the crack and give it to the happy couple at weddings. They are invoking the power of the Oak as protection. (Cork comes from a type of Oak tree.) "Tie a Yellow Ribbon round the old oak tree" is the same idea: It sprung up in America during the Civil War from the same inspiration. The intention was to perserve your loved one from harm, so they would return safely from the wars.
By extension, every tree has *some* degree of life-force, and protective energy. So in default of any other supernatural entity to call on, you can touch wood, or "knock on wood" - although I've never seen anyone in Ireland or Scotland actually knock, and I can't recall it in England either - I think that's an American usage.
I've also heard "Touch wood for Luck" is actually "Touch wood for LOK". Heathens are best placed to comment on this. IMO it's conflating two traditions.
By extension, every tree has *some* degree of life-force, and protective energy. So in default of any other supernatural entity to call on, you can touch wood, or "knock on wood" - although I've never seen anyone in Ireland or Scotland actually knock, and I can't recall it in England either - I think that's an American usage.
I've also heard "Touch wood for Luck" is actually "Touch wood for LOK". Heathens are best placed to comment on this. IMO it's conflating two traditions.
From Wiki
QUOTE
It is commonly thought that knocking on wood has been a superstitious action to ward off evil throughout history involving both Pagan and Christian belief systems.[1] Some believe it has to do with knocking on the wooden cross.[2] Another explanation for this practice is the pagan belief that spirits (dryads) lived in trees.[3]By knocking on the wood of a tree while making some sort of a bold statement, the speaker could prevent the spirit from hearing him and stop the spirit from interfering[citation needed] or out of respect for the wood spirit, touching a tree indicated seeking protection from the particular spirit.[4]
However historian Steve Roud[5] finds no evidence in the British Isles for the earlier theories, suggesting that the superstitions have not been traced beyond children's games of tag of the early nineteenth century. According to Roud, the earliest documented references to "touching wood" are from 1805 and 1828 and concern chasing games like "Tiggy-touch-wood", where you are safe from being "tagged" if you "touch wood", says Roud, "'Tiggy-touch-wood" was an extremely well-known game, and it is more than likely that the phrase was passed into everyday language.
However historian Steve Roud[5] finds no evidence in the British Isles for the earlier theories, suggesting that the superstitions have not been traced beyond children's games of tag of the early nineteenth century. According to Roud, the earliest documented references to "touching wood" are from 1805 and 1828 and concern chasing games like "Tiggy-touch-wood", where you are safe from being "tagged" if you "touch wood", says Roud, "'Tiggy-touch-wood" was an extremely well-known game, and it is more than likely that the phrase was passed into everyday language.
Here they say " Touch Iron". I'd be curious to find out the origins to that saying.
Iron is said to ward off the fairies. That's why horseshoes are lucky, they're made of iron and once upon time were fairly easy to come by.
Terry Pratchett didn't make it up
Terry Pratchett didn't make it up
And iron frying pans are great for warding off Jenny Green Teeths! 
Be fair Tas, a decent sized frying pan will ward off anybody
Yup!
Check out Gaston Leroux's Phantom of the Opera (the original book on which the films/musical was based) - lots of interesting things like that in there and I remember one of the managers touching iron to ward off evil. Wouldn't surprise me if it's something related to the nails on the cross or something though - like crossing your fingers at al.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.