Chinese knotting, also known as  (), is a traditional Chinese folk art with strong ties to Buddhism and Taoism. A Chinese knot is made from a single length of cord that is woven into many different shapes. Each shape has its own symbolic meaning. The most common color used in Chinese knotting is red, a color associated with luck in traditional Chinese culture, although any color can be used. Charms, beads, and jade may be incorporated into a Chinese knot. It is believed that Chinese knotting originated to record information and exchange messages before the common use of writing. Traditionally, Chinese knots acted as good luck charms that could ward off evil spirits. Chinese knots are used today to decorate homes during festivities and celebrations and are also commonly seen in traditional jade jewelry and traditional Chinese clothing.

Characteristics 

Several characteristics set Chinese knotting apart from other styles of knotting and macrame.

Chinese knots:

 are made with a single thread.
 are identical on each side as well as symmetrical
 have no distinction between head and tail.
 are made by hand.

Chinese knots come in a variety of shapes and complexities. They are often double-layered and symmetrical in all directions.Silk cording is the most widely used material, especially for clothing and jewelry. However, cotton, paracord, and other materials are frequently used as well. Modern designs (such as the butterfly knot shown) deviate from the accepted requirement for all-over symmetry without a distinguishable top or bottom. Knots are often paired with tassels, which are created separately and then assembled together.
Chinese knots are created in a variety of colors such as gold, green, blue or black, though the most commonly used color is red. This is because it symbolizes good luck and prosperity. There are many different shapes and sizes of Chinese knots.

Types and shapes 
Chinese knot scholar Lydia Chen lists eleven basic types of Chinese decorative knotwork. More complex knots are constructed from repeating or combining these basic 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. Due to the delicate nature of the medium, little evidence of prehistoric Chinese knotting exists today. Some of the earliest evidence of knotting has 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–9 CE).

Recordkeeping

Archaeological and literary evidence indicate that knots were used in China as a method of keeping records, especially to assist in governance. The practice had some similarities to the Incan practice of Quipu. Several works of classical Chinese literature make reference to it. The Tao Te Ching (ca. 400 BCE) alludes to the practice in chapter 80. As translated by Wing-tsit Chan:

The Yi Jing, Xi Ci II (ca. 168 BCE), describes the practice:

The Eastern Han (25–220 CE) scholar Zheng Xuan, who annotated the , wrote that:

The chapter of Tubo (Tibet) in the New Book of Tang says:

Ancient totem and symbol 

Simultaneously, in addition to the use of recording and ruling, knots became an ancient totem and belief motif. The Chinese brought a lot of meanings from pictograms or quasi-sounds to totem worship in ancient times.

An example is the double coin knot pattern painting on the T-shape silk banner discovered by archaeologists in Mawangdui tombs (206 BCE – CE 9). The pattern is in the form of intertwined dragons as a double coin knot in the middle of the fabric painting. The upper part of the fabric painting depicts the ancient deities Fuxi and Nüwa, who are also the initiators of marriage in China from whom many ancient poems derive the meaning of "love" for the double coin knot.

There is tangible evidence that 3,000 years ago, on the Yinxu Oracle bone script, knots were recognized as symbols rather than functional use.

Decorative art

According to Lydia Chen, the earliest tangible evidence of using knots as a decorative motif is on a high-stem small square pot from the Spring and Autumn Period (770 – 476 BCE), which is now displayed in the Shanxi Museum. However, archaeology research in the last decade has stated that the earliest decorative knot artifact in China can be traced back to 4000 years ago, when a three-row rattan knotting of a double coin knot was excavated from Liangzhu Ruins.

Knots gradually evolved into a distinct decorative art in China, beginning with the use of ribbon knotting and decorative knots on clothing during the Spring and Autumn Period. This is attested in the , where it is written that:

Chinese knotting was thus derived from the  culture. The Chinese word  is an ancient Chinese term for knots, and it was customary to tie a knot at the waist with silk or cotton ribbon.

Sui to Ming dynasties 
The Sui and Tang dynasties (581–906 CE) saw the first peak of the  culture when basic knots such as the Swastika knot and the round brocade knot generated the  vogue on garments and common folk art in the palace and home. Therefore, knots were cherished not only as symbols and tools but also as an essential part of everyday life to decorate and express thoughts and feelings.

In the Tang and Song dynasty (960–1279 CE), the love-based knot is a unique element, as evidenced in many of the poems, novels, and paintings. For example, in the memoir  () written by Meng Yuanlao, it is observed that in the traditional wedding custom, a Concentric knot or the knot made like a Concentric knot was necessary to be held by the bride and groom. Other ancient poems mentioned the Concentric knot to portray love such as Luo Binwang's poem: 

It was also mentioned in a poem written by Huang Tingjian: 

The most famous poem about the Love knot was written by Meng Jiao in 《 – 》.

The phenomenon of knot-tying continued to steadily evolve over thousands of years with the development of more sophisticated techniques and increasingly intricate woven patterns. During the Song and Yuan dynasties (960–1368), the Pan Chang knot, today's most recognizable Chinese knot, became popular. Much artwork evidence has also shown the knots as clothing decoration during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644); for instance, in Tang Yin's artwork, a knotting ribbon is clearly shown.

Qing dynasty 
During the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Chinese knotting evolved from folklore to an acceptable art form in Chinese society, reaching its pinnacle of success. The  culture then reached a second peak during the Qing dynasty. During that time, basic knots were widely used to embellish everyday objects such as , sachets, purses, fan tassels, spectacle cases, and rosaries: and the single knot technique was extended into complicated knots.

According to the Chinese classical novel Dream of the Red Chamber, the  was developed and spread between the middle and higher hierarchy, making  was a way to express love and lucky within family members, lovers, and friends during the Qing dynasty. It was also a form honorable craftsmanship studied and created by maids in the Imperial Palace; as written in the 《》, when knotting, the maids amusing for Ci Xi were able to quickly produce objects of various kinds proficient.”

Republic of China 
In the period of the Republic of China (1912–1949), knots can be seen from modern Chinese culture without as much intricacy. For example, the , which already appeared before the Qing dynasty, used knot button ornaments designed particularly for the cheongsam in this period.

20th and 21st centuries 

Knowledge and interest in Chinese knotting had declined considerably by the 1970s when Lydia Chen helped bring about a renewal of interest in the art form through the Chinese Knotting Promotion Center. Chinese knotting has since become a popular symbol and souvenir in festivals and commodity markets.

The use of  on clothing and knots as a folk craft remains alive in China.

Influences and derivatives

Japan
The tying knots tradition in Japan is called , a term composed of the words  which literally means "flower" and  which means "knot".

The  is a legacy of the Tang dynasty of China when a Japanese Emperor in the 7th century was so impressed by Chinese knots which were used to tie a gift from the Chinese that he started to encourage Japanese people to adopt the tying knots practice.

Japanese knots are more austere and formal, simple, and structurally looser than the Chinese knots. In function, Japanese knots are more decorative than functional. With a greater emphasis on the braids that are used to create the knots, Japanese knotting tends to focus on individual knots.

Korea

In Korea, decorative knot work is known as  (), often referred as Korean knotwork or Korean knots in English languages.

The Korean knotting techniques is believed to originate from China, but Korean knots evolved into its own rich culture as to design, color and incorporation of local characteristics. The origins of  date back to the Three Kingdoms of Korea in the first century CE.  articles were first used at religious ceremonies.

A wall painting found in Anak, Hwanghae Province, now in North Korea, dated 357 CE, indicates that the work was flourishing in silk at that time. Decorative cording was used on silk dresses, to ornament swords, to hang personal items from belts for the aristocracy, in rituals, where it continues now in contemporary wedding ceremonies. Korean knotwork is differentiated from Korean embroidery.  is still a commonly practiced traditional art, especially among the older generations.

The most basic knot in  is called the  (or the double connection knot). The  knot is used at the start and end of most knot projects. There are approximately 33 basic Korean knots which vary according to the region they come from. The  tassel is noteworthy as the most representative work familiar to Westerners, and often purchased as souvenirs for macramé-style wall-hangings.

Related content 

 Endless knot
 China: ; 
 Japan: Mizuhiki
 Korea: Norigae

See also 
 Chinese art
 Chinese Folk Art
 Chinese paper cutting
 Chinese paper folding
 List of Japanese tea ceremony equipment#Shifuku
 Macrame

References

External links 
 

Arts in China
Arts in Japan
Arts in Korea
Chinese folk art
Decorative knots
East Asian art