Why, when we wish for good fortune, do we touch wood or cross our fingers? Although touching wood can be traced back to the ancient Greeks, who believed that if they touched oak they could talk with Zeus who would protect them, it is now more symbolic of the wooden cross on which Christ was crucified and we touch that wood to affirm our belief. Similarly, we "cross" our fingers and some people wear a cross or crucifix as a "good luck charm".
So what is "good" about the Friday before Easter Sunday? The name of this day varies in different parts of the world: in Germany it is Mourning Friday; in Scandinavia Long Friday - traditionally a day of abstinence. For English speakers, our Good Friday is believed to have derived from "God's" or good meaning Holy.
Two years ago Good Friday fell on 13 April, but fear not - they will not coincide again until 2063!
