Page 15 - Lydia Chen - The Complete Book of Chinese Knotting

01 Chinese Knts inA nct (09-16) rp08 5/30/08 5:58 PM Page 12

Knots in Everyday Life

Through China’s long history, knotting gradually developed into a distinctive
decorative art, generating countless fashion, household and ritual items used in
royal temples, palaces and in the homes of common folk, and also to make a spe-
cial occasion even more wonderful. Knots were cherished not only as symbols,
but also as an essential part of everyday life, and were used to decorate lanterns,
musical instruments, fans, dresses, chopsticks, sachets and many other items.
Prior to the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–CE 220), Chinese knots, though limited to
the double coin knot and its derivative, the button knot, commonly graced the
jade and copper ornaments (page 12) as well as mirrors (page 14) and seals. Long
strings of jade secured with knots on an Eastern Zhou Period (770–256 BCE)
wooden figure from the Chu tomb, Xinyang, Henan Province (page 14) testify to
an even earlier decorative knot-making tradition in China.
The decorative function of Chinese knots became more pronounced in the Six
Dynasties Period (CE 265–589), as seen in the pillar depicting three consecutive
double coin knots and a compound double coin knot comprising four interlock-
Buddhist statue,Western Wei Dynasty (CE 535– ing dragons in the Southern Dynasty tomb in Changsan, Shandong (page 11).
556), from cave 102, Maiji Caves,Tianshui, Gansu
Province. Chinese knotting peaked during the Sui and Tang dynasties (581–906), when
numerous basic knots – sauvastika, cross, round brocade and tassel – and one that
looks like a cloverleaf with two outer loops – were used to adorn palace objects.
In the ensuing Song Dynasty (960–1279), these single knots were replaced by
multiple knots. The true cloverleaf knot also appeared. Though none of the pres-
ent day knots appeared in the late Song-early Yuan dynasties, this period had one
very unique decorative knot which we do not yet know how to tie. We do not see
a lot of knots adorning everyday objects in the Ming Dynasty (1369-1644), except
for the pan chang, an early example being the strand of pan chang knots on the
screens behind imperial portraits (page 6).
The Qing Dynasty (1644–1911) witnessed a second peak in the use of knots.
During this time, all present day basic knots became widely used. We can even see
some outer loops being extended into complicated knots.

Copper ornament, Han Dynasty 206 BCE–CE 220).

Right: Stone carving entitled “The Empress’s
Devotee,”Northern Wei Dynasty (CE 386–534),
in Bingyang Cave, Longmen Grottoes, Luoyang,
Henan Province.
Far right: Portrait entitled “Seated Folks,”
Southern Song Dynasty (CE 1127–1279). Photo
courtesy Palace Museum,Taipei.

12 THE COMPLETE BOOK OF CHINESE KNOTTING