Traveling Trunk

The Chinese knot is a widely recognized decorative item. It is constructed by artistically knotting one single piece of rope into an intricate design (33). The knot can be further combined with decorations such as fish, Beijing opera masks, charms, and gold ingots to create a larger piece. The rope used is generally red, the color of “luck” in China.

There has been evidence of this art form as far back as the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) (34). As the popularity of this technique grew, references to knotting were made in literature, poems, and the personal letters of Chinese rulers throughout history.

Although this décor may not be outwardly noticeable in everyday China, they are abundant during the Chinese New Year festival. During this time of year, they can be seen hanging on walls, doors, and even in shops to give a lively feel to the festivities.

For full instructions on how to make a knot, see the following website: http://www.co.middlesex.nj.us/culturalheritage/chineseknotting/goodluck.html (33).