<html> <head> <script type="text/javascript" src="js/jquery-1.3.2.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> $(document).ready(function(){ $("*", document.body).each(function () { var parentTag = $(this).parent().get(0).tagName; alert(parentTag); }); }); </script> <style> .y { background:yellow; } </style> </head> <body> <body> <div><button disabled="disabled">First</button> <span class="selected"></span> <span></span> </div> </body> </html>