Page 281 - Geoffrey Budworth "The Pocket Guide to Outdoor Knots"

Purpose
This singular knot can be worn and shown off as a string neck-tie or amulet; but

it is also one of those knots that are tied for the simple satisfaction of
demonstrating that one can do it.

Tying

In a doubled length of line first tie two matching pairs of half-knots, or two
granny knots, all of identical handedness (figure 1). Invert both granny knots,

turning them in toward one another (figure 2). Pull the closed bight through the
twin upper half-knots to protrude like a tongue from between their twisted lips;

and then tuck the free ends in turn (front and back) down through the lower pair
of half-knots (figure 3).

Tighten this knot with the utmost patience, since a careless and rushed
approach will distort it beyond recognition and render it impossible to achieve

the final shape. Concentrate first on creating the central four-part crown knot
(figure 4). Next tighten top and bottom half-knots (figure 5). Finally work the

slack from each of the projecting lateral bights, losing it either in the loop or the
free ends, until the final form is inevitable (figure 6).

Knot lore

The highly decorated ceilings (plafonds) of Chinese temples and palaces
traditionally used this pattern as an ornamental motif, which is why the knotting

writer Lydia Chen calls it the plafond knot.