Like Christmas trees and wreaths in the west, the Chinese knot is the most favored ornament for most Chinese families during the Lunar New Year celebration. Almost every shopping mall in Beijing has a special counter to sell Chinese knots of various sizes, shapes and colors.

    No matter how different the knots are, the messages the ancient craft delivers are similar, offering blessings of happiness, prosperity, love and good luck.

    The major characteristic of the Chinese knot is that every one is tied from a single thread (at least 1 meter long) but looks the same from both the front and back. A typical Chinese knot is red, but it can also be gold, green, blue or black. Flowers, birds, dragons, the phoenix, fish and shoes are the most common patterns used in the Chinese knot.

    Long history

    The Chinese knot dates back to ancient times before Chinese characters existed. People first used knots for fastening, wrapping, hunting and fishing. The knot was developed into an art form during the Tang (618-907 A.D.) and Song (960-1279 A.D.) dynasties and flourished in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

    The folk art experienced a decline in the last century, but since the late 1990s, along with embroidery and tangzhuang (traditional Chinese dress), the Chinese knot has made a strong comeback. Now recognized as more than a fashionable ornament for festivals, the art element of the Chinese knot has been widely used in necklaces, bracelets, hair ornaments, classic coat buttons and even hangings for cars or mobile phones.

    Diverse choices

    The Chinese knot is based on more than a dozen basic knots named according to their distinctive shapes, usages, or origins. The "Two-Coins Knot," for example, is shaped like two overlapping coins once used in ancient China. The "Button Knot" functions as a button, and the "Reversed Swastika Knot" was derived from the Buddhist swastika symbol commonly seen on the streamers hanging down from the waistband of the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy.

    The knots are pulled tightly together and are sturdy enough to be used for binding or wrapping, making them very practical. Furthermore, the complicated structure of the Chinese knot allows all kinds of variations and enhances its decorative value. Almost all basic Chinese knots are symmetrical, which puts technical limitations on the design and creation of new patterns and themes. Symmetry is consistent with time-honored ornamental and aesthetic standards in China. Visually, the symmetrical designs are more easily accepted and appreciated by Chinese people.

    Except for the "Two-Coins Knot," the Chinese knot is three dimensional in structure. It comprises two planes tied together leaving a hollow center. Such a structure lends rigidity to the work as a whole and keeps its shape when hung on the wall. The hollow center also allows for the addition of precious stones.

    Since ancient times, the Chinese knot has adorned both the fixtures of palace halls and the daily implements of countryside households. The Chinese knot has also appeared in paintings, sculptures and other pieces of folk art. For instance, it was used to decorate chairs used by the emperor and the empress, corners of sedans, edges of parasols, streamers attached to the waistbands of lady's dresses, as well as all manners of seals, mirrors, pouches, sachets, eyeglass cases, fans and Buddhist rosaries.