Page 334 - Lindsey Philpott "The Ultimate Book of Decorative Knots"

328 the ultimate book of decorative knots

Pan Chang Knot
The Pan Chang Knot is one of the eight symbols of
Buddhism. It communicates that religion’s belief in
a cycle of life with no beginning and no end. It was
illustrated in a painting of the Emperor Xiaozhong
(the second ruling member of the southern Song
dynasty, which existed from AD 960 to 1279) that,
I believe, is now in the Palace Museum in Beijing.
The knot is also known as the Mystic Knot, and is
believed to impart good fortune to those who wear
5 take the right loop, pass it over the legs of the tyer to think in three dimensions. When I tied my
and observe it. It is an intricate knot that forces the
third loop, over the strands of the first pair
first Pan Chang, I felt a tremendous sense of relief
and then tuck through the legs of the left loop.
Check to see that you have one passed loop and joy. It is a knot with many blessings to bestow
coming out of the loops as shown. and I wish you joy of your own efforts. Be careful to
set out the knot on paper with pins to begin with –
tying this knot in the hand is possible, but only after
much practice.

6 gradually tighten the loop ends that were

sticking out, starting north, then east, south,
and west, pulling them away from the centre.
As you do so notice the lovely crossing strands 1
in the centre. Adjust each of the large outer Begin by setting out the vertical wraps, started
loops to form the inner small loops by following here with three, but this is not the upper limit.
the strand around piece by piece.

The lovely Compound 2 make a bight with the right-hand end and pass
Outer Loops Good Luck it under, over, under, over to the left, leaving the
Knot. end on the right.