中国结 Chinese Knots

Traditional Chinese decoration knots, also known as Chinese Knots 中国结 (zhōng guó jié) , are typical local arts of China. This hand-tied knot, a fine art, is evolved from the knots used in daily life through thousands of years. It prospered in Tang and Song Dynasty (618-1279), and approached the high peak in Ming and Qing Dynasty (960-1911). Today, it has evolved to be the great and wonderful arts.

[zhōng guó jié] 中国结 Chinese knots
[shǒu gōng biān zhī] 手工编织 weave by hand
[zhuāng shì pǐn] 装饰品 decoration
[yì shù pǐn] 艺术品 arts

The character of Chinese knots is: every knot is weaved just from one thread, and every basic knot is named by its appearance and meaning. Different knots are interlaced, or with the other adornments to develop this special, auspicious garnishes, which is colorful and full of profound meanings.

In Chinese language, "knot" has the meanings of reunio, friendliness, warm, marriage, love etc. In addition, "knot" and "luck, felicity" have the similar pronunciation, so Chinese knots are often used to express some good wishes including happy, prosper, love and no evil.
 

[tuán jù] 团聚 reunio
[zhù fú] 祝福 wishes

Almost all the basic knots are in symmetrical form. Except for the Double Coins Knot, Chinese Knotting is three dimensional in structure. It is comprised of two planes which are tied together to leave 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. The complicated structure of Chinese Knotting allowed for all kinds of variations and enhances its decorative value.
 

[duì chèng] 对称 symmetrical
[zhōng kōng] 中空 hollow
[dú tè] 独特 distinctive

Chinese Knotting has decorated both the fixtures of palace halls and the daily implements of countryside households. It has appeared also in paintings, sculptures, and other pieces of folk art.