Wood

Even though a piece of wood or something made of wood is, of course, a dead material, it still carries a sense of life, being organic. It is a material that has been profoundly important to humanity, accommodating and allowing itself to be shaped. In this way, it can be associated with culture and creativity, but also with worship.  

Wood and carpentry are often linked to creation, even to the act of creation itself. In the Rigveda (10:18), it says: "Tell us from what material, from which tree, God created heaven and earth so that they remained stable and forever young, not falling apart." In Sanskrit, Greek, and Latin, there is a connection between the words for wood and creation.  

The expression "knock on wood" to bring good fortune can be found across Europe and is very old.

On the other hand, if something is described as "wooden," it often means it is dull or lifeless.   

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