Page 125 - Lydia Chen - The Complete Book of Chinese Knotting

07 Creative Designs (115-129) 3/23/07 4:59 PM Page 122

Designs 5 and 6, adapted from
5 & 6 a Han Dynasty stone carving, illus-
trate a phoenix flaunting its wings. Its fluttering
cockscomb, protruding chest, outspread wings,
inward-pointing claws and slightly pointed tail
contribute to a sense of calm in motion.
TYING INSTRUCTIONS
1.Tie a hui ling knot with compound outer loops
for the head and cockscomb.Tie the exterior outer
loops into double connection knots and pull the
interior outer loops through these knots.
2. Leave a suitable length of left cord, then tie the
left wing using a pan chang knot with reduced
cords and a creeper knot. Tie a cloverleaf knot
and a double connection knot for its claw.
3. Leave a suitable length of right cord and repeat
Step 2 with the right cord to form the right wing
and claw.
4. Use the cord in the middle to tie a long double
connection knot.Weave the rest of the cord along
the abdomen, then hide the cord ends inside the
knot body.
5. For the tail, tie a pan chang knot and a lingzhi
knot.The tail should not be too heavy but at the
same time be pointed to show the bird’s vigor.

122 REAL AND IMAGINARY CREATURES