What would Chinese New Year be without Beijing being dressed in its best red outfit?
Like every other year, the city is getting ready to celebrate: roads are lined with red lanterns, doors are covered with “upsidedown fortune”red papercuts decorate the windows, new chopsticks are bought, new hopeless bans on fireworks are issued, updated Nianhua prints are framed, and knotted decors hung from every available surface.
Chinese knots differ in size, and materials, some may include good luck charms, beading, or jade. However, they are usually red, and they are everywhere!
爆竹声中一岁除, 春风送暖入屠苏。
Wang Anshi (1021-1086) “First day of the New Year”, Northern Song Dynasty
千门万户瞳瞳日, 总把新桃换旧符。
Amidst the sounds of fireworks, one year slips away.
Spring winds send warmth and enter the Tusu wine (屠蘇).
Upon a thousand doors and ten-thousand houses, the bright and glistening sun.
All grab a hold of the new peach-wood to replace the old talisman.
Are you interested in Chinese culture? Check out this post on how to teach Chinese calligraphy to kids, or this list of my favourite Mid-Autumn inspired books.
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The history of Chinese knots
The significance of Chinese knots, 中国结 in Chinese, is deeply rooted in Buddhist and Taoist traditions.
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.
Those are the characteristics that set Chinese knotting apart from other styles of knotting and macrame.
Even though they are most often considered folk art, Chinese knots embody the fundamental principles of Chinese aesthetic and philosophy: symmetry, balance, unity, and interconnections.
However, some of the earliest records of Chinese knots date as far as 500 years before Buddhism, during the Zhou dynasty (1046-256 BC).
Over time the craft evolved becoming more and more sophisticated. Elaborate knots were used to decorate robes and jewelry and to hang swords and scrolls.
During the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) knotting spread to Japan and Korea, where it developed into its own traditions, hanamusubi and maedeup, with local characteristics and flare.
Chinese knotting saw its popularity peak during China’s last dynasty, the Qing (1644–1912) and almost disappeared in the Republican era. As a matter of fact, the art was nearly lost by the end of the Cultural Revolution. It was a recent renewal of interest in local crafts and folklore that prevented this art from disappearing forever.
Traditionally, Chinese knots are expected to ward off evil spirits and act as good luck charms. They are widely used today to decorate homes during festivities and celebrations but are also very common in traditional jade jewelry.
What do you need to start knotting?
One reason why I enjoy this craft is that it doesn’t require a whole lot of material. A cord, some pushpins, and a soft surface are pretty much all you need.
For the work surface, you will need a material soft enough to pin the cord in place. For instance, a 20×20 cm foam board would work.
I have used a block of polymer clay to film this tutorial, and I am pleasantly surprised by how nicely it all worked out. Soft boards specially made for knotting are available online; it would probably be a good investment if you plan to knot often but is not a purchase you need to make right away.
The cord
Satin Cord
Red 2mm sating cord is the traditional cord used in Chinese knotting. It is fairly thin, and it’s perfect for creating small pendants and jewelry. For larger decorations, I recommend using paracord.
Paracord
I use paracords of different sizes and colors. I like it because it’s affordable and it makes it easy to experiment with different sizes and designs. The result might not be as authentically Chinese as the red satin cord, but it’s a chance to create some original “fusion” designs.
Resources and tutorials
While researching this post, I realized that there aren’t a whole lot of resources on Chinese knots available in English. Although I am using a Chinese book as a reference, I have found some authoritative resources that I would also recommend. In particular, Lydia Chen is the go-to author when it comes to Chinese knotting for English speakers.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
How to Tie a Chinese Good Luck Knot | The Chinese Knots Encyclopedia
The Good Luck Knot (吉祥结) or Lucky Knot is one of the most iconic and meaningful Chinese knots, symbo…
How to Tie a Bamboo Cage Knot | The Chinese Knots Encyclopedia
The Bamboo Cage Knot， or 十角结 in Chinese, gets its English name from its unique pattern, which looks …
How to Tie a Chinese Cross Knot|The Chinese Knots Encyclopedia
The Cross Knot (十字结) is a basic yet useful knot in Chinese knotting. It gets its name from its cross…
How to Tie a Chinese Cloud Knot|The Chinese Knots Encyclopedia
The Cloud Knot (戒箍结) is a foundational element in Chinese knotting. Its flat, rounded shape resemble…
How to Tie a Double Coin Knot|The Chinese Knots Encyclopedia
In Imperial China, cash coins weren’t just currency—they were also believed to have protec…
How to Tie a Chinese Button Knot| The Chinese Knots Encyclopedia
The Chinese Button Knot (纽扣结) is a compact, versatile knot that’s not only beautiful but also highly…
How to Tie a Buddha Knot (Wanzi Knot) | The Chinese Knots Encyclopedia
The Buddha Knot (万字结), or Wanzi Knot, is one of the most meaningful knots in Chinese culture, closel…
How to Tie a Cloverleaf Knot | The Chinese Knots Encyclopedia
The cloverleaf is often seen as a symbol of luck and good fortune in many cultures, but in Chinese t…
Chinese Knots how-to: The complete guide to Chinese New Year traditional craft
What would Chinese New Year be without Beijing being dressed in its best red outfit? Like every othe…
How to integrate Chinese Knots into a STEAM curriculum
Chinese traditional knots, with their intricate designs and patterns, offer a captivating gateway to introduce mathematical knot theory, a branch of mathematics that studies the properties of knots and their relations to one another. Knot theory, at its core, is about understanding how loops in three-dimensional space can intertwine and connect without intersecting themselves. It finds applications in various fields, from biology (studying DNA and molecular structures) to physics (in understanding quantum field theories).
For example, Veritasium’s video on mathematical knot theory can be an excellent resource for students to visually grasp these concepts.
Read also: How to Master Lesson Plan Design: Strategies for Creating Engaging Art Classes
This integration of Chinese knots into teaching knot theory also allows for a broader cultural and historical exploration. Knots have been significant in many cultures and historical eras, often used to convey information and represent mathematical concepts. For example, the ancient Incas used Quipus – a system of knotted cords – for record-keeping and communication, embodying a form of language and numerical recording. In various maritime cultures, knot tying was not only practical for sailing but also served as a way to understand mathematical principles related to geometry and physics.
By examining these historical uses, students can appreciate the universal nature of knots and their mathematical properties across different cultures and times. This approach highlights the interdisciplinary nature of knowledge, showing how mathematics, history, and cultural studies can intersect in fascinating ways.
Did you find this post useful or inspiring? Have you tried it yourself or have suggestions to share? I’d love to see your creations! Share them with #ArtSproutsArt and tag me @art_sprouts_art. Don’t forget to pin this for later and follow me on Pinterest for more creative ideas!
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