Knotting is a special traditional art in China. In ancient China, various knots are used to record their daily affairs. Gradually, more and more delicate knots were used as ornaments.
The main characteristic of the Chinese Knot is that every knot is weaved just from one thread and every knot is named by its specific form and meaning. By combining different knots or other auspicious adornments skillfully, a unique ornament that represents beauty, idea and wishes is formed. For example, "Full of joy", "Happiness & Longevity", "Double Happiness", "Luck and Auspiciousness as one wishes" and "Wish you a fair wind" are traditional Chinese pleasant phrases expressing warmest regards, best wishes and finest ideal.
Furthermore, in Chinese language, "knot" has the meanings of reunion, friendliness, warmth, marriage, loves etc. In addition, "knot" and "luck, felicity" have the same pronunciation, so Chinese knots are often used to express some good wish including happy, prosperity, loves and no evil.
Knotting art reached its climax in the Qing Dynasty. There were more than one thousand ways to knot at that time. Knotting was a basic skill for almost all the housewives. People hung them over the bed, in front of the door, or anywhere you can imagine. They were an indispensable decoration from palace halls to countryside households.
However, modern technology stopped the development of knotting art. The craft is so time-consuming that it can’t pace with the time. Inevitably, it is declining.
Now, Chinese knots combine classical beauty, a strong folk flavor, and cultural connotations, and are well-known around the world.
