Jekyll2022-08-06T20:14:09-07:00http://localhost:4000/feed/tag/nomenclature.xmlKnotty Notions ][ NomenclatureA decorative knotting blog.Carol WangMystic Knots and Ashley’s2009-02-27T00:00:00-08:002009-02-27T00:00:00-08:00http://localhost:4000/mystic/mystic-knots-and-ashleys<p><a href="http://www.chineseknotting.org/mystic/howto2x2/mystic-bwg.jpg" title="bigger"><img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/mystic/howto2x2/mystic-bwg-stamp.jpg" alt="2x2 mystic knot tied in black, white and grey shoelaces" align="left" /></a><a href="http://www.chineseknotting.org/mystic/what-is/mystic-quarter.jpg" title="bigger"><img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/mystic/what-is/mystic-quarter-stamp.jpg" alt="1x1 mystic knot tied in black and white shoelaces" align="right" /></a> In the next post, I’ll illustrate the relationship, but for now let me just say that the square form of the flower knot (<em>see right</em>) is the basic unit of the mystic knot (<em>see left</em>). <a href="http://www.chineseknotting.org/book/#ashley">The Ashley Book of Knots</a> (also known as Ashley’s or ABoK) has much to say on the topic of mystic knots, but not in those words (Ashley calls this knot family the <strong>Chinese butterfly knots</strong>), so let’s extract them and put them in one post for easy reference, shall we? I’m making pronouncements based on visual inspection and could easily be wrong, I’ll tie them and post the pictures later, correcting as I go if necessary…
<!--more--></p>
<p>Where he gives a specific “name” to a knot it will be noted in parentheses.</p>
<p>From the <strong>two-strand lanyard knot</strong> chapter:
#811 is the square flower knot.
#812 is a variation on the square flower knot giving ears on all corners as well as 2 incoming and 2 outgoing cords.
#813 is the standard 2x2 mystic knot
#814 has the 2 extra corner ears and a cord coming out of each corner
#815 twists things up under the weave so that it has the 2 extra corner ears and 2 cords coming out of each of 2 diagonally opposite corners
#816 like the previous 2 has the extra 2 corner ears, but the cords come out the sides versus the corners
#842 (a triangular knot of the butterfly variety) is the triangular version of the mystic knot with a square flower in each of the 3 corners.
#843 (a right-angled triangular pectoral knot) is half of a 4x4 mystic knot “cut” along the diagonal
#844 (an equilateral triangular knot) has 1.5 square flower knots in each of 3 corners</p>
<p>From the <strong>single-strand lanyard knots</strong> chapter:
#587 (a two-plane knot) is the square flower with one end pulled through the body of the knot to provide an extra corner ear, so all ears must snug against the body of the knot for the proper effect
#588 (a rectangular knot) is a 2x1 mystic, again with the cord pulled through for the effect of an extra ear
#589 is a reorderd 2x2 mystic with one cord coming out of the middle of 2 sides.</p>
<p>From the <strong>single-strand button knots</strong> chapter, these knots have been reconfigured so that one plane of the knot faces upwards and one faces downwards with the cord ends coming out of the bottom plane to form the stem of a button:
#625 looks like a modified #842
#627 (a square knot) looks like a modified 2x2 mystic
#629 is a modified square flower knot (1x1 mystic)
#630 (an oblong knot) is a modified 2x1 mystic
#631 is a modified 2x2 mystic
#632 is a modified 2x3 mystic
#634 is a modified #842
#635 is a modified pentagonal mystic</p>
<p>From the <strong>multi-strand buttons, tied on the table</strong> chapter, similar to the single-strand button knots in configuration they are tied with multiple cords, all exiting the knot from the centre of the bottom plane to form the stem of the button:
#1007 (tied in 4 strands) is a modified 2x2 mystic
#1008 (tied in 5 strands) is a modified pentagonal mystic</p>
<p>From the <strong>fancy knots</strong> chapter:
#2445 is a modified square flower knot with just the structural loops doubled
#2458 (a triangular butterfly knot) is #842 with the ends coming out of a corner
#2459 is #2458 with the ends coming out of a side
#2460 is a 2x2 mystic
#2461 is a 3x3 mystic
#2462 is a pentagonal mystic with the ends coming out of a side
#2469 is a 2x2 mystic with 2 ears on each side formed into a double coin knot, almost the classic butterfly knot
#2471 is a 2x2 mystic with top and bottom wing halves created out of ears formed into double coin knots (plus antennae)
#2472 is a 2x2 mystic with the double coin knots tied just slightly differently
#2473 is a 3x3 mystic knot with 2 sets of ears on each side tied into modified double coin knots
#2477 and #2479 are square flower knots tied in sequence in a “Chinese lantern cord” with their side ears tied into double coin knots.
#2482 is a basic square flower knot
#2483 is a 4x1 mystic knot</p>Carol WangIn the next post, I’ll illustrate the relationship, but for now let me just say that the square form of the flower knot (see right) is the basic unit of the mystic knot (see left). The Ashley Book of Knots (also known as Ashley’s or ABoK) has much to say on the topic of mystic knots, but not in those words (Ashley calls this knot family the Chinese butterfly knots), so let’s extract them and put them in one post for easy reference, shall we? I’m making pronouncements based on visual inspection and could easily be wrong, I’ll tie them and post the pictures later, correcting as I go if necessary…Mystic Knots: What’s in a Name?2009-02-26T00:00:00-08:002009-02-26T00:00:00-08:00http://localhost:4000/mystic/mystic-knots-whats-in-a-name<p><a href="http://www.chineseknotting.org/mystic/howto2x2/mystic-bwg.jpg" title="bigger"><img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/mystic/howto2x2/mystic-bwg-stamp.jpg" alt="mystic knot tied in a black, white and grey shoelaces" align="left" /></a> The <strong>mystic knot</strong> is the <strong>pan chang knot</strong> is the <strong>endless knot</strong> and is also less commonly known as the <strong>coil knot</strong> and the <strong>temple knot</strong>. <em>Pan chang</em> is, of course, the romanization of the Chinese name. The best literal translation of <em>pan chang</em> is probably <em>coil</em>, but the word evokes a much different image for most, I would suspect.<br />
<!--more--></p>
<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endless_knot"><img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/mystic/what-is/180px-EndlessKnot03d.png" align="right" alt="graphic endless knot" /></a>Lydia Chen translates the pan chang as the endless knot and Buddhist treasure in her <a href="http://www.chineseknotting.org/book/#chen1">first Chinese Knotting book</a>. I have since tried to research the issue in English. The <a href="http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/symbols/knot.htm">endless knot</a> is one of the <a href="http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/b8symbol.htm">eight Buddhist treasures</a>, 8 symbols that represent key aspects of the Buddha (the endless wisdom of Buddha), Buddhist teachings (the harmony that the many dual aspects of the universe find together), and parts of Buddha (the endless knot being the intestines). The graphic representation (<em>see right</em>) that is usually used to represent the endless knot is closer to the <a href="http://www.chineseknotting.org/flower/howto4/">flower knot (square)</a> but not quite. If you tie the graphic representation, you end up with something slightly more complex than a triple overhand. So is this popular graphic version (often <a href="http://gettysburg.cdmhost.com/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/p4016coll6&CISOPTR=408&CISOBOX=1&REC=8">carved into stone</a>) a simplification of the true symbol (the knot as tied), is the tied knot an alternate symbol, or is the tied knot a late addition?</p>
<p>The tied knot in Chinese characters is <big>盤長結</big>. The Buddhist symbol, according to <a href="http://translate.google.com/translate_s?hl=en">Google Translate and Search</a> and a <a href="http://member.giga.net.tw/taiwannote/newpage13.htm">Taiwan website</a> is <big>吉祥結</big> (machine translates as “auspicious”), but according to a <a href="http://big5.china.com.cn/news/zhuanti/xz/txt/2007-02/13/content_7823299.htm">mainland website</a> is <big>金剛結</big> (machine translates as “King Kong”, I’m not kidding. OK, that was the first 2 characters, adding the knot character into the translation string yields “diamond knot”). None of them match. It doesn’t <em>look</em> like a Simplifed vs Traditional script issue. How thoroughly inconvenient. Mind you, the different characters could all be a “cow meat” vs “beef” vs “steak” vs “sirloin” vs etc issue. In any case, now that I’ve done such masterful job of muddying the waters with my incomplete understanding of language, could someone who reads Chinese (ideally, someone familiar with Buddhist literature) clear things up for us? <strong>Note:</strong> I will ask my parents, the next time they’re around…</p>
<p>While I’m talking about languages that I don’t understand, in <a href="http://www.geocities.jp/ishi_ruri/kaisetu2.htm">Japanese</a> it is <big>玉房結び</big> which machine translates as “jade room knot” (maybe they mean “temple knot”?). In <a href="http://www.knots.or.kr/maedup/knots/man/maedup/man_maedup04.htm">Korean</a> it is <big>국화매듭</big> which means “chrysanthemum knot”.</p>
<p>Many’s the time I’ve read about “temple knots” and “priest knots”. I’ve seen pictures here and there (none that I can find online at the moment, sorry) and they look mostly like wall hangings. The priest knots are worn by the priests, I believe, but I’m not sure exactly how that works as I’ve never seen an image of what looks like a wall hanging being worn. In any case, many knots have been identified as “temple knots” and the <em>pan chang</em> just happens to be one of them.</p>
<p>Which leaves the <strong>mystic</strong> knot. I like the name. It’s certainly a less intimidating name than the <strong>endless</strong> knot. 8)</p>Carol WangThe mystic knot is the pan chang knot is the endless knot and is also less commonly known as the coil knot and the temple knot. Pan chang is, of course, the romanization of the Chinese name. The best literal translation of pan chang is probably coil, but the word evokes a much different image for most, I would suspect.Good Luck: Triangular2009-02-05T00:00:00-08:002009-02-05T00:00:00-08:00http://localhost:4000/good%20luck/good-luck-triangular<p><a href="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/howto3/3-luck.jpg" title="bigger"><img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/howto3/3-luck-stamp.jpg" alt="triangular good luck knot" align="left" /></a> I’ve been thinking of the whole <strong>3 sided</strong> versus <strong>three (knot type</strong> or <strong>6-eared</strong> and <strong>6 petals</strong> and whatnot. Something like <strong>3-luck</strong> is certainly good for quick file naming and shorthand, but in descriptive text when trying to be clear and unambiguous, I’m thinking to use full-on mathematical (polygonal) terminology. Especially since, as demonstrated by the case of the <a href="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/">good luck knots</a> the number of ears does not necessarily properly describe a many-sided knot. So all those 4-sided good luck knots I’ve <a href="/gluck/basics">been talking about</a> they’re all <strong>square</strong> even when they <a href="/gluck/reverse-corner-crown">look round</a>. <em>sigh</em></p>
<p>But in any case, because pictures make a blog infinitely more interesting, here’s the <em>triangular</em> good luck knot. Nothing tricky here, just make a ‘Y’ shape with bights and crown it twice. Reverse direction for the second crown for a crisper shape.</p>Carol WangI’ve been thinking of the whole 3 sided versus three (knot type or 6-eared and 6 petals and whatnot. Something like 3-luck is certainly good for quick file naming and shorthand, but in descriptive text when trying to be clear and unambiguous, I’m thinking to use full-on mathematical (polygonal) terminology. Especially since, as demonstrated by the case of the good luck knots the number of ears does not necessarily properly describe a many-sided knot. So all those 4-sided good luck knots I’ve been talking about they’re all square even when they look round. sigh But in any case, because pictures make a blog infinitely more interesting, here’s the triangular good luck knot. Nothing tricky here, just make a ‘Y’ shape with bights and crown it twice. Reverse direction for the second crown for a crisper shape.Good Luck Variations 1: Chrysanthemum2009-01-22T00:00:00-08:002009-01-22T00:00:00-08:00http://localhost:4000/good%20luck/good-luck-variations-1-chrysanthemum<p><a href="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/chrysanthemum-big.jpg" title="bigger"><img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/chrysanthemum.jpg" alt="the Japanese chrysanthemum knot" align="left" /></a><a href="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/good-luck-big.jpg" title="bigger"><img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/good-luck.jpg" alt="the good luck knot" align="right" /></a> The <strong>good luck knot (吉祥結)</strong>, a name coined by Lydia Chen who wrote the seminal book <a href="http://www.chineseknotting.org/book/#chen1">Chinese Knotting</a> in both Chinese and English, is based on the <strong>crown knot</strong>. Usually the crown knot is tied in sequence to create a <strong>sinnet</strong>, a braid composed of knots. The best static (not animated) instructions I have found on the net for the crown sinnets are by <a href="http://www.boondoggleman.com">The Boondoggle Man</a> who, unfortunately, calls them the <strong>square stitch</strong> and the <strong>circle stitch</strong>.
<!--more--></p>
<p>The basic crown knot tied the same way each time will result in a <a href="http://www.boondoggleman.com/prj_circle_stitch.htm">round sinnet</a>. The crown knot tied in alternating directions will result in a <a href="http://www.boondoggleman.com/prj_square_stitch.htm">square sinnet</a>.</p>
<p>The good luck knot is a double crown knot tied on the bight (using loops formed from a single cord, tie 2 crown knots in sequence). The traditional good luck knot is tied in alternating directions to give a nice crisp angular shape (square when tied with 4 loops, pictured to the right). The non-alternating, round version in Japanese literature is the <strong>chrysanthemum knot</strong> (菊結び, pictured to the left). Admittedly, the difference is fairly subtle visually, but some find that when hanging the knots that the Japanese chrysanthemum hangs better owing to the smidgen extra tilt towards centre.</p>
<p>And, because nothing can be that simple, the <a href="http://www.knots.or.kr/maedup/knots/man/maedup/man_maedup04.htm">Korean chrysanthemum knot</a> (국화매듭) is <a href="http://www.chineseknotting.org/mystic/">the mystic knot</a>, an entirely different knot. In my “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1565912322/skateorg">Maedeup: The Art of Traditional Korean Knots</a>” by <a href="http://www.knots.or.kr/maedup/info/info.htm">Kim Hee-jin</a>, the good luck knot in Korean is the <a href="http://www.knots.or.kr/maedup/knots/man/maedup/man_maedup11.htm">Dongsimyeol Maedeup</a> (동심결매듭) translated as “One Mind Knot”. That sounds like a machine translation that didn’t get a once over from real translator. One of the other knots in this grid is called a “crawfish eyes knot.” Cool, although the translated names of many of the other ones make more sense.</p>
<p>Fun, eh? 8) Hey, if you (gentle reader) are a Chinese, Japanese, or Korean (reading and typing) crafter and would like to help me translate things from time to time, I’d love to <a href="mailto:mistress@knottynotions.com">hear from you</a>!</p>Carol WangThe good luck knot (吉祥結), a name coined by Lydia Chen who wrote the seminal book Chinese Knotting in both Chinese and English, is based on the crown knot. Usually the crown knot is tied in sequence to create a sinnet, a braid composed of knots. The best static (not animated) instructions I have found on the net for the crown sinnets are by The Boondoggle Man who, unfortunately, calls them the square stitch and the circle stitch.