Knock on Wood

Nationality: American
Age: 22
Occupation: College Student
Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Language: English

Text:

“Anytime someone in my family is talking about something that has the potential to go wrong, we will knock on wood immediately as a way to protect ourselves or sort of prevent it from happening. If we were in the car or there was no wood nearby, my parents would remember to knock on wood when they got home.”

Context:

My informant’s parents have done this for as long as she could remember. While her parents are immigrants from Asia, they likely picked it up from popular culture. 

Analysis:

The exact origin of this superstition is not known for sure, but some believe it is based on ancient pagan traditions. They believed that spirits and gods lived inside the trees, therefore knocking on tree trunks was a way of asking for protection. When individuals knock on wood, they are engaging in a form of apotropaic magic. Even though they know that knocking on wood isn’t actually going to do anything, many do it as a way of easing their worries. It may be a way for people to feel as if they are in control of their own fate. 

Cats and Dogs as Sign Superstition

Nationality: American
Age: 50
Occupation: Home Renovator
Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Language: English

Text:

Collector: “Can you think of any superstitions you heard growing up?”

Informant: “If a stray cat comes to your house, people are afraid. However if a stray dog comes, everyone welcomes it because it is supposed to be good luck.”

Context:

My informant is Chinese, but grew up in Vietnam. He always heard this growing up from neighbors, family, or peers. 

Analysis:

This is an example of a sign superstition, with the stray animals being seen as a sign from the universe of good or bad luck. Cats are often associated with witches, spirits, and bad luck, while dogs are seen as loyal protectors. People will avoid anything that symbolizes bad luck, but will welcome good fortune. This is a belief that is seen across many cultures as well, demonstrating widespread acceptance of certain magical beliefs.

Chinese New Year Food Practices

Nationality: American
Age: 21
Occupation: College Student
Residence: Brooklyn, NY
Language: English

Text:

Collector: “Do you have any traditional foods that your family makes for any holidays?”

Informant: “For Chinese New Year, we make certain foods based on how they sound in Chinese. For example, we eat something called “fat choy” that sounds similar to “good wealth”. We also make oysters, which is “ho” and also means “abundance”. We always makes either 8 or 9 dishes because 8 in Chinese sounds similar to “good luck” and 9 sounds similar to “longevity”. 

Context:

My informant is Chinese American and lives in proximity to her grandparents who often cook traditional Chinese food, especially for Chinese holidays. Her mother explained to her why they eat certain dishes. 

Analysis:

These traditional food practices for Chinese New Year largely relate to cultivating good luck, wealth, and prosperity for the upcoming year. The foods are symbolic and consuming them is supposed to produce what they symbolize, such as good wealth. It is a form of homeopathic magic, in that consuming a food that sounds like a certain word will evoke that outcome. The number of dishes prepared, either 8 or 9, represent good luck and longevity, respectively. The new year is seen as the fresh start, and individuals do everything they can to cultivate success.

Qingming Festival

Nationality: American
Age: 21
Occupation: College Student
Residence: Brooklyn, New York
Language: English

Text:

Collector: “Can you describe any rituals or festivals you have participated in before?”

Informant: “My family and I have a yearly ritual where we go to the cemetery to visit my great grandparents. We visit their grave and burn fake money and clothes to send them these things in the afterlife. We also burn stuff like cars, houses, accessories, jewelry, bags. They are all made of paper but it’s supposed to give them the real thing in the afterlife. We then burn incense and bow and pray to them.”

Collector: “What time of the year do you guys do this tradition? Is it based on your family’s religious beliefs?”

Informant: “We typically try to go a little bit after Chinese New Year. My immediate family isn’t religious, but I believe it’s based on Buddhist beliefs in the afterlife.”

Context:

My informant is Chinese-American and has been participating in this yearly ritual since she was young. While her immediate family is not religious, they practice some Chinese Buddhist traditions such as bringing items to their deceased loved ones and praying to them.

Analysis:

This ritual is a part of a traditional Chinese Holiday, typically practiced in the beginning of April during the Qingming festival, which translates to “Tomb Sweeping Day”. This festival reflects a common Chinese belief in the afterlife, but is not . It is a way for people to honor their deceased ancestors and loved ones, ensuring that they are well taken care of in the afterlife. Some people believe that “sweeping the tomb” is only to be done during the festival, otherwise it would be disturbing the deceased. It is a way for the living and the dead to feel connected. People pray to feel spiritually connected to their ancestors.

Festival: Salu Salo

Date of Performance: 05/01/2025

Nationality: Filipino

Primary Language: English

Residence: Manila, Philippines

My informant recalls a fond memory from his school days. He grew up in the Philippines, and when my informant was a child, he attended an annual festival called “Salu Salo”, which means welcome, or something similar, in Tagalog. It was a school event, wherein he and his classmates would experience Filipino culture, and play at various stalls and events related to the festival. His whole middle school would have haunted houses, small rides, and bounce houses set up, and it was the preeminent celebration of their school year. Normally, his school, which was Catholic, had a uniform, but on this day, children were allowed to wear whatever they want. It’s a spin on the classic Filipino “Fiesta”, or celebration, and to start it, the class would all be together, and have a party, involving dance, food, and other games. Parents were invited to attend, and teachers would man the stalls and join in celebrations with their students. Overall, it was a fun event that encouraged the students of my informant’s school to be proud of their Filipino heritage and be rewarded for their work across the school year. 

This festival sounds to me like a combination of a more typical end of the year party and a more traditional celebration of Filipino culture. I’d imagine that events like these help to connect feelings of relief and happiness with national pride, bolstering morale while also reminding children of their background.