Korean knots
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Korean knots, also known as maedeup (매듭), is a traditional
Korea Korea ( ko, 한국, or , ) is a peninsular region in East Asia. Since 1945, it has been divided at or near the 38th parallel, with North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) comprising its northern half and South Korea (Republic o ...
n handicraft which dates back to the Three Kingdom periods that is closely related with Chinese knots. While Korean knotting techniques are believed to have been influenced by Chinese knots, Korean knots have evolved into its own rich culture as to design, colour and incorporation of local characteristics. Korean knotting uses a unique braiding technique. Korean knotting is derived from the ancient practice of using knots for practical purposes; e.g. in fishing nets, agricultural tools, stone knives and axes. Traditionally, the knots were used primarily to hold hunting tools around the waist and their usage was initially limited to royal families, spreading later to common people. Today, modern Korean artists are using the traditional knots in their works, such as accessories, jewelry and home interior decorations.


Design

Korean knots are tighter than both then Chinese knots and Japanese knots; maedeup is also more three-dimensions than the other East Asian knots. Maedeup also has a longer tassel than the Chinese knots. Another main difference between Chinese and Korean knots is color and type of cord used. The finished knot has the same shape at the front and at the back, has
bilateral symmetry Symmetry in biology refers to the symmetry observed in organisms, including plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria. External symmetry can be easily seen by just looking at an organism. For example, take the face of a human being which has a pla ...
. It can be made using one or two threads.


History of Korean Knots


Prehistory

In neolithic times, Korean knots were used solely for practical purposes; they were tied around the waist and used to carry stone-axes, swords, and other tools used for hunting and food. Tools from the
Stone Age The Stone Age was a broad prehistoric period during which stone was widely used to make tools with an edge, a point, or a percussion surface. The period lasted for roughly 3.4 million years, and ended between 4,000 BC and 2,000 BC, with t ...
exhibit holes where thread was looped through and then knotted. Similar evidence is found in relics of the
Bronze Age The Bronze Age is a historic period, lasting approximately from 3300 BC to 1200 BC, characterized by the use of bronze, the presence of writing in some areas, and other early features of urban civilization. The Bronze Age is the second pri ...
. The knots were strengthened by twisting or weaving multiple strings.


Three Kingdoms of Korea (4th century - 668 CE)

The oldest record of maedup can be found in Goguryeo painting which dates from 357 AD. During the period of the
Three Kingdoms of Korea Samhan or the Three Kingdoms of Korea () refers to the three kingdoms of Goguryeo (고구려, 高句麗), Baekje (백제, 百濟), and Silla (신라, 新羅). Goguryeo was later known as Goryeo (고려, 高麗), from which the modern name ''Kor ...
, people began to see aesthetic value in knots. The Korean knot which used to be only for practical use developed in a form of decorative art. People started to use them as decorations on clothes, swords, and more. The
Samguk Sagi ''Samguk Sagi'' (, ''History of the Three Kingdoms'') is a historical record of the Three Kingdoms of Korea: Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla. The ''Samguk Sagi'' is written in Classical Chinese, the written language of the literati of ancient Korea, ...
, the oldest extant record of Korean history, describes knot usage in everyday life during the
Silla Silla or Shilla (57 BCE – 935 CE) ( , Old Korean: Syera, Old Japanese: Siraki2) was a Korean kingdom located on the southern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula. Silla, along with Baekje and Goguryeo, formed the Three Kingdoms of K ...
dynasty, noting rulers enjoyed using knots to adorn horses.


Period of the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392)

Formal knots are depicted in buddhist murals and paintings in the
Goryeo Goryeo (; ) was a Korean kingdom founded in 918, during a time of national division called the Later Three Kingdoms period, that unified and ruled the Korean Peninsula until 1392. Goryeo achieved what has been called a "true national unificati ...
dynasty. During this period, knots were widely used as ornaments in accessories and for art. No knots from the Goryeo period survive today.


Period of Joseon dynasty (1392-1910)

During the
Joseon Joseon (; ; Middle Korean: 됴ᇢ〯션〮 Dyǒw syéon or 됴ᇢ〯션〯 Dyǒw syěon), officially the Great Joseon (; ), was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and re ...
dynasty, knots became more diverse and elaborate. They were a symbol of high social status and it was considered a sign of dignity and prestige in the royal palace. They were used to decorate traditional instruments and clothes, especially women's garments and jewelry (e.g. necklace, pendants, and earrings). The Joseon rulers hired their own knot-makers to decorate the palace and jewelry for the noble family. Since the late 1870s, the art of maedup knots started to disappear with the disappearance of the Joseon court and due to westernization.


Korea under Japanese Rule (1910-1945)

Demand for knots were so high among Koreans that knots became commercialized. But demand decreased after the Japanese enacted policies designed to obliterate Korean culture and a surge of Western culture into the Korean peninsula shifted traditions. They became rarely seen in public.


Types of Korean knots

There are more than 30 basic types of knots. Some sources state that there is 38 basic knots. But there are vast numbers of variations and regional version on these basic types. Some of the most common knots include: * Dalki knot - this knot resembles a
strawberry The garden strawberry (or simply strawberry; ''Fragaria × ananassa'') is a widely grown hybrid species of the genus '' Fragaria'', collectively known as the strawberries, which are cultivated worldwide for their fruit. The fruit is widely ap ...
. *Dorae knot - the most basic form of knot, it is used to connect knots and to fix or finish a knot. * Guidorae knot - there are many different names that describe this type of knot, but is normally called the Guidorae. This knot tends not to be fixed. *Gukwa knot (also written as "gukhwa") -
chrysanthemum Chrysanthemums (), sometimes called mums or chrysanths, are flowering plants of the genus ''Chrysanthemum'' in the family Asteraceae. They are native to East Asia and northeastern Europe. Most species originate from East Asia and the center ...
knot; when tied in plum and mauve threads, it apparently represents autumn and eternity.{{Cite journal, last=Kim, first=Bo-Young, last2=Geum, first2=Key-Sook, date=2010, title=A Study on the Formative Aesthetics and Modern Application of Traditional Korean Knots bstracturl=https://www.koreascience.or.kr/article/JAKO201014435571010.page, journal=Journal of the Korean Society of Costume, volume=60, issue=10, pages=1–15, issn=1229-6880 It is similar to the Chinese Pan Chang knot in construction. *Maehwa knot - this knot resembles a
Japanese apricot ''Prunus mume'' is an East Asian and Southeast Asian tree species classified in the ''Armeniaca'' section of the genus ''Prunus'' subgenus ''Prunus''. Its common names include Chinese plum, Japanese plum, and Japanese apricot. The flower, lon ...
flower; and it is used for baby clothes and
Norigae () is a typical, traditional Korean accessory used in , which can be hung on (coat strings) of a woman's or on her . The functions as a decorative pendant and is both a good-luck charm hoped to bring something such as eternal youth, wealth ...
, Korean traditional ornaments worn by women. *Nabi knot -
butterfly Butterflies are insects in the macrolepidopteran clade Rhopalocera from the Order (biology), order Lepidoptera, which also includes moths. Adult butterflies have large, often brightly coloured wings, and conspicuous, fluttering flight. The ...
knot. *Saengjok knot - Ginger knot.


Usage of Korean knots

Knots of diverse colors were used as belts, identity tags, and as a decorative element on instruments. In the ruling palaces, knots were used to signify dignity and prestige. For religious purposes knots decorated Buddhist ornaments. The most common use of knots was in Norigae, traditional Korean ornaments worn by women to decorate clothing. Norigae were used by all ages and social statuses to emphasize the beauty of Korean traditional costume, as well as decorate pockets carried separately. Though these knots were used across all social statuses, there were also cases when only specific people were allowed to use them. For example, only high government officials were allowed to use knots for decorating fans.


Korean Knots in modern Korea

After the establishment of a cultural industry bureau in
South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and sharing a Korean Demilitarized Zone, land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed ...
in 1994, the use of knots modern life increased, especially in cultural products. Korean knots were also used in the designs of non-Korean artists, usually in forms of the Garackji knot (a basic knot used to fill space and give a classical touch) and the Mangsa knot (used on pouches for jewelry).


References

Korean culture Knots 1) Lee Jong Kyu, “Study of Fashion design using Korean Traditional Knots” (한국전통매듭을 응용한 패션 디자인 연구), Master's Thesis. Sookmyung Women's College. (2009) 2) Lim Young Ju, "Study of Korean Traditional Knots"(한국 전통 매듭에 관한 연구), Doctor's Thesis. Won Kwang University. (2002) 3) Kim Johnson Young, "Study of accessory design using Korean Traditional knots (한국전통매듭을 응용한 장신구 디자인 연구), Master's Thesis. SungKyunkwan University. (2005)