Traditional knots in Korea (Maedup, 매듭) has been used for various purposes like hunting tools, decoration, clothes and so on throughout Korean history. Its usage was first only limited to the royal families and later spread to common people. Korean knot is different from Chinese knots in history and form. In modern Korea, there are much effort trying to apply traditional knots to modern art.

Definition of Korean Knots

Korean Knots are defined as a form of traditional Korean handicraft made using one or two thread. Its characteristic is that the completed knot has the same shape front and back, has bilateral symmetry and starts and ends at the middle of the knot not matter how complicated the it is.
Korean knots are very similar to Chinese knots. However, it is different from the Chinese knots in that it is made with a special Korean braid and is made with fingers without tools.

Prehistoric times

Knots tied around the waist were used to carry stone axes and swords. In the relics from the Stone Age used for hunting and food, holes exist where the thread went through. Similar evidences are found in the Bronze Age. To use the knots for a longer time and to make it stronger, knots were made by twisting or weaving multiple strings and so the basic form of knots were made. To this point, knots were valued for its practical usage only.

Three Kingdoms of Korea (A.D 4th Century ~ A.D 668)

In the period of the Three Kingdoms, people began to see aesthetic value in knots and started using them for decoration for various kinds of clothes and decorations. As written in Samguk Sagi (The history of Three Kingdoms), the oldest written record of history, in Silla Dynasty, knots were used in everyday life and the rulers enjoyed using knots to adorn horses. There is no specific evidence that Goguryeo and Bekjae used knots. However, since the Silla was founded after Bekjae and Goryeo, it can be inferred that Goryeo and Bekjae also used knots.

Period of the Goryeo Dynasty (918∼1392)

No knots from Goryeo period survive today. However, the evidence of the forms of knots made in this period can be found in various descriptions in poetry and Buddhist art. In the Period of Goryeo, knots were widely used as ornaments in accessories and for art.

Period of Joseon Dynasty(1392~1910)

The types and uses of knots became more diverse and elaborate. Knots were used to decorate traditional instruments and clothes, especially women’s garments and jewelry. Joseon Dynasty hired its own knot makers for other uses. It was used to decorate the palace and as a jewelry for the noble family for example as a palanquin and a bier.

Korea under Japanese Rule (1910~1945)

The demand for knots was very high that it was commercialized to the public. However, in the period of Japanese colonization there were policies to obliterate Korean culture along with surge of Western culture into the Korean peninsula. As a result, the change in lifestyle led to lesser demand for the use of knots.

Types of Korean knots

Even the basic types of knots count up to 30 and combined with the knots that were affected differently by the regional culture, they are non-countable.

Dorae knot

Dorae knot is the most basic form of knot. It is used to connect knots and to fix or finish a knot so that it does not become loose.

Maehwa (Japanese apricot flower) knot

This knot looks like Japanese apricot flower used for baby clothes, and norigae (Korean traditional ornaments worn by women).

Guidorae knot

This knot is referred to in many different names, but is normally called Guidorae knot. This knot tends not to be fixed.

Usage of Korean knots

For decoration, knots of diverse colors were used as belts, and an identity tags and on instruments. In the palace, knots were used to show the dignity and prestige visually. And as for religious purposes, knots decorated the Buddhism ornaments.
The use of knots is clearly related to the Korean traditional clothing. The most common use of knots were in Norigae (Korean traditional ornaments worn by women to decorate clothing). Norigae emphasized the beauty of Korean traditional costumes, so they were used for over all ages and social status. Also, because Korean traditional clothing does not have pockets, people carry small pockets that were decorated with knots.
Knots were used across all social status; however, there were also cases when only specific people used knots. For example, knots for decorating fans were only allowed for high government officials.

Korean Knots in modern Korea

The knots uses in modern life has started to develop, after the division of culture and technology was established in 1994 and set up a unit called Cultural Industry planning division to be in charge of developing cultural products. Korean knots were also used in the designs of non-Korean artists usually in forms of Garackji knot which is a basic knot usually used to fill spaces and give classical touch and Mangsa knot that was usually used on pouches for jewelry.