Beijing Shopping: Buy Exquisite Chinese Knots

Applauded as one of the most representative symbols of Chinese culture, Chinese knots have commanded the love and fascination of Chinese art lovers for centuries. Simple as they are in their physical makeup - most designs are created out of only one thick thread, they are highly praised and admired for their creative, complex craftsmanship. Used extensively by ancient Chinese to decorate everything from household items to clothes, it gradually became a popular gift. In Beijing, there are many local shops that offer beautiful, unique Chinese knots.

Used mainly as an auspicious decorative object, Chinese knots are most commonly seen on the door of a house, the wall of a room, on clothing, and as decorations on gifts. They come in both large and small sizes, depending on the use, and there are a variety of classic designs that have developed over the years. Though sometimes thought of as an accessory that merely accompanies larger items, some knots never fail to stand out with their conspicuous beauty. Red is the most popular color used, because this color symbolizes fortune and happiness in Chinese culture.

Knots with different designs began to appear in Chinese homes in prehistoric times. But it is believed that they didn't become a popular decorative art until the Tang and Song dynasties. This art form reached its peak in the Qing dynasty and was accepted by most people.

This art was almost lost in the early 20th century as China entered an era of modernization. Then, many people viewed such knots as out of date and having little practical application. In the late 1970s an artist named Lydia Chen revived this art in Taiwan, after which Chinese knots started to flourish again and became more and more popular.

Consisting of only a single thread, a Chinese knot can be very simple or extremely complex. While a simple design can be easily made by using a model, a complex knot demands excellent skills and takes a long time to finish. Most knots look identical from the front and the back.

Here is a list of the 10 main types of Chinese knots made by modern artists:

1. Double Coin Knot

2. Chinese Button Knot

3. Oxalis Knot

4. Round Brocade Knot

5. Cross Knot

6. Good Luck Knot

7. Sauvastika Knot

8. Pan Chang Knot

9. Caisson Ceiling Knot

10. Ping Knot

Chinese knots used during festivals usually depict classic images. These include "Auspicious Dragon And Phoenix," "Fish Jumping Over The Dragon Gate," "Fu Xi Shuang Quan" (fortune and longevity), "Double Shou" (longevity), "Double Xi" (happiness), "Extra Good Luck," and "Everything Goes Well."

In China, a large variety of social concepts can be represented by Chinese knots - marriage, friendship, family unity, brotherhood, and the formation of special or secret community, because "knot" is pronounced like "connection" in Chinese.

Visitors in Beijing have a great opportunity to buy beautiful, unique Chinese knots at the local shops. Sometimes it's best to find a tour guide in Beijing to help you go shopping.

A. Lao writes about Chinese culture and history. He now works with a Beijing tour guide who brings visitors to great Chinese shops. From time to time, he personally tailors Beijing tours.

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