Chinese Knots
Chinese Knots
Chinese knotting is a decorative handicraft art that began as a form of Chinese folk art in the Tang and Song dynasty (960–1279 CE) in China. The technique was later popularized in the Ming and spread to Japan and Korea. The art is also referred to as “Chinese traditional decorative knots”. In other cultures, it is known as “decorative knots”. Chinese knots are usually lanyard type arrangements where two cords enter from the top of the knot and two cords leave from the bottom. The knots are usually double-layered and symmetrical. Chinese knots differ in size, materials, some may include good luck charms, beading, or jade.
Introduction of Chinese Knots
History
Archaeological studies indicate that the art of tying knots dates back to prehistoric times. Recent discoveries include 100,000-year-old bone needles used for sewing and bodkins, which were used to untie knots. However, due to the delicate nature of the medium, few examples of prehistoric Chinese knotting exist today. Some of the earliest evidence of knotting have been preserved on bronze vessels of the Warring States period (481–221 BCE), Buddhist carvings of the Northern Dynasties period (317–581) and on silk paintings during the Western Han period (206 BCE–6 CE).
Further references to knotting have also been found in literature, poetry and the private letters of some of the most famous rulers of China. In the 18th century, one novel that talked extensively about the art was Dream of the Red Chamber.
The phenomenon of knot tying continued to steadily evolve over the course of thousands of years with the development of more sophisticated techniques and increasingly intricate woven patterns. During the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911) knotting finally broke from its pure folklore status, becoming an acceptable art form in Chinese society and reached the pinnacle of its success. Knotting continued to flourish up until about the end of imperial China and the founding of the Republic of China in 1911 when China began its modernization period. From 1912 to the end of the Cultural Revolution in 1976, the art of Chinese knotting was almost lost.
The significance of Chinese knots, 中国结 in Chinese, is deeply rooted in Buddhist and Taoist tradition.
The Pan Chang knot, for example, is inspired by the Eternal Knot, the Buddhist symbol of the ultimate unity of everything, and one of the “Eight Auspicious signs.”
Just like the Eternal Knot, Chinese Knots are:
- made with one single thread,
- are symmetrical in all directions,
- have no distinctions between head and tail.
Morden Meaning of Chinese Knots
Knot, in Chinese ‘Jie’ means vigor, harmony, and unification, Therefore, this unique Chinese knots artwork has been a popular gift for thousands of years and embodies best wishes. People wore it in the beginning as a decorative addition to clothing (usually with the jade wearing), and later, used it to decorate their houses. Though the weaving techniques are complicated, ropes, in hands of a deft craftsman appear effortless moving the shuttle in between the rows of ropes. A Chinese knot is usually symmetrical in structure and colorful with jade or porvelain beads. This no doubt adds more jubilation to any festive atmosphere.
The characteristic of Chinese knot is that it is purely hand-made, made of a single rope and named by its specific form and meaning. By combining different knots or other auspicious adorments skillfully, a unique auspicious ornament which represents beauty, wisdom and wishes is formed. For example, “Full of joy”, “Happiness & Longevity”, “Double Happiness”, “Luck and Auspiciousness as one wishes” are Chinese traditional pleasant phrases expressing warmest regards, best wishes and finest ideal.
In Chinese language, “knot” has the meanings of reunion, friendliness, warm, marriage, love etc. In addition, “knot” and luck, felicity” have the same meaning, so Chinese knots are often used to express some good wishes including happiness, prosperity, love and no evils.
To fit in with the needs of morden life, Chinese knot has various products. The two main series are auspicious hanging and knitting clothing adorment. Auspicious hanging include large taperstry, big room hanging, automobile hanging etc. Knitting clothing adornment includes ring, eardrop, hand chain, necklace and other woman’s special adorments.
Types of knots
Lydia Chen lists eleven basic types of Chinese decorative knotwork in her first book. More complex knots are then constructed from repeating or combining basic knots. They are:
| Name | Alternate names |
|---|---|
| Cloverleaf knot | Four-flower knot, dragonfly knot, ginger knot (Korean) |
| Round brocade knot | Six-flower knot |
| Chinese button knot | Knife Lanyard knot, Bosun Whistle knot |
| Double connection knot | Matthew Walker knot |
| Double coin knot | Carrick Bend, Josephine knot |
| Sauvastika knot | Agemaki (Japanese) |
| Cross knot | Friendship knot, Japanese crown knot |
| Square knot | |
| Plafond knot 天花板結 | Spectacle/glasses knot (Korean), caisson ceiling knot |
| Pan Chang knot 盤長結 | Coil knot, temple knot, Endless knot, Chrysanthemum knot (Korean), 2×2 mystic knot |
| Good luck knot |
