Pagan rituals are one of the likely sources of this superstition’s origin. In paganism, trees were revered and regarded as the dwelling places of particular deities. When requesting blessings or expressing gratitude after receiving good fortune, worshippers would tap a tree. Additionally, it was used to request protection.

The same fundamental idea—touching a piece of wood for good luck—underlies both historical occurrences of this superstition. It’s a belief that continues to have a strong hold on a lot of people today.

Of course, these are only a handful of the countless superstitions that have impacted people throughout human history, from all times and cultures. Strange customs are followed all around the world to bring in good luck—or to ward off the bad—from shunning black cats to gathering four-leaf clovers.

Our culture is currently preoccupied with the idea of keeping one’s beauty and becoming the best. The term “narcissism” is often used to describe people who come across as being overly conceited and full of themselves. If you are curious and you want to know if someone in your life is a narcissist, you should check out: 8 Classic Traits of a Narcissist