Solomon's knot
Encyclopedia
Solomon's knot is the most common name for a traditional decorative motif
used since ancient times, and found in many cultures. Despite the name, it is actually classified as a link
, and is not a true knot
according to the definitions of mathematical knot theory.
) manner. In other words, if laid flat, the Solomon's knot is seen to have four crossings where the two loops interweave under and over each other (as opposed to only two crossings in the simpler Hopf link
).
In most artistic representations, the parts of the loops that alternately cross over and under each other become the sides of a central square, while four loopings extend outward in four directions. The four extending loopings may have oval
, square
, or triangular
endings, or may terminate with free-form shapes such as leaves, lobes, blades, wings etc.
mosaic
s, usually represented as two interlaced ovals.
Tzippori National Park
, Israel, has Solomon’s Knots in stone mosaics at the site of an ancient synagogue.
The Treasury, National Museum of Ireland
, Archaeology, Dublin, Republic of Ireland displays the twelfth century CE Cross of Cong
. In contrast to more elaborate designs usually seen are two very small Solomon’s Knots in simple, pure form at the junction of the Cross, one on either side of the Quartz Crystal covered hollow that once held a sliver of the Christian “True Cross.”
Across the Middle East, historical Islamic sites show Solomon's knot as part of Muslim tradition. It appears over the doorway of an early twentieth century CE mosque/madrasa in Cairo. Two versions of Solomon's knot are included in the recently excavated Yattir Mosaic in Jordan. To the east, it is woven into an antique Central Asian prayer rug. To the west, Solomon's knot appeared in Moorish Spain, and it shines in leaded glass windows in a late twentieth century CE mosque in the United States. The British Museum, London, England has a fourteenth century CE Egyptian Qur'an with a Solomon’s Knot as its frontispiece.
University of California at Los Angeles Fowler Museum of Cultural History, USA has a large African collection that includes nineteenth and twentieth century CE Yoruba glass beadwork crowns and masks decorated with Solomon’s Knots.
Home of Peace Mausoleum, a Jewish Cemetery, Los Angeles, California, USA has multiple images of Solomon’s knot in stone and concrete bas reliefs sculpted 1934 CE.
Saint Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral, “Byzantine District” of Los Angeles, California, USA has an olive wood Epitaphios (bier for Christ) with Solomon's knots carved at each corner. The Epitaphios is used in the Greek Easter services.
Powell Library
University of California at Los Angeles, USA has ceiling beams in the Main Reading Room covered with Solomon’s Knots. Built in 1926 CE, the reading room also features a central Dome of Wisdom bordered by Solomon's knots. http://www.flickr.com/photos/51035651716@N01/3084186024/
" has other conflicting meanings (often referring to either a Star of David
or pentagram
). In the study of ancient mosaics, the Solomon's knot is often known as a "guilloche knot" or "duplex knot", while a Solomon's knot in the center of a decorative configuration of four curving arcs is known as a "pelta-swastika" (where pelta is Latin for "shield").
Among other names currently in use are the following:
"Foundation Knot" applies to the interweaving or interlacing which is the basis for many elaborate Celtic designs. and is used in the United States in crochet and macramé patterns.
"Imbolo" describes the knot design on the textiles of the Kuba
people of Congo.
"Nodo di Salomone" is the Italian term for Solomon’s Knot, and is used to name the Solomon’s Knot mosaic found at the ruins of a synagogue at Ostia, the ancient seaport for Rome.
Because there is no visible beginning or ending, it may represent immortality and eternity—as does the more complicated Buddhist Endless Knot
.
Because the knot seems to be two entwined figures, it is sometimes interpreted as a Lover's Knot, although that name may indicate another knot
.
Because of religious connections, the knot is sometimes designated the all-faith symbol of faith, but, at the same time, it appears in many places as a valued secular symbol of prestige, importance, beauty.
Solomon’s Knot appears on tombstones and mausoleums in Jewish graveyards and catacombs in many nations. In this context, Solomon’s Knot is currently interpreted to symbolize eternity.
Some seek to connect it with Solomon by translating the Hebrew word peka'im (פקעים) found in the Bible at I Kings 6:18 and I Kings 7:24 as meaning "knobs" or "knots", and interpreting it to refer to Solomon's knot; however, the more accepted modern translation of this word is "gourd-shaped ornaments".
In Africa, Solomon’s knot is found on glass beadwork, textiles, and carvings of the Yoruba people. When the knot appears in this culture, it often denotes royal status; thus, it is featured on crowns, tunics, and other ceremonial objects. Also in Africa, the Knot is found on Kasai velvet, the raffia woven cloth of the Kuba people. They attribute mystical meaning to it, as do the Akan People of West Africa who stamp it on their sacred Adinkra cloth. In the Adinkra
symbol system, a version of Solomon's knot is the Kramo-bone symbol, interpreted as meaning "one being bad makes all appear to be bad".
In Latvia, when Solomon’s knot is used on textiles and metal work, it is associated with time, motion, and the powers of ancient pagan gods.
In modern science, some versions of the conventionalized sign for an atom (electrons orbiting a nucleus) are variations of Solomon’s knot. The logo of the Joomla software program is a Solomon’s knot.
A few archaeological reports, art books, craft manuals, museum catalogs, auction catalogs, travel books, and religious documents which discuss or depict the Solomon’s Knot configuration are listed below:
Ornament (architecture)
In architecture and decorative art, ornament is a decoration used to embellish parts of a building or object. Large figurative elements such as monumental sculpture and their equivalents in decorative art are excluded from the term; most ornament does not include human figures, and if present they...
used since ancient times, and found in many cultures. Despite the name, it is actually classified as a link
Link (knot theory)
In mathematics, a link is a collection of knots which do not intersect, but which may be linked together. A knot can be described as a link with one component. Links and knots are studied in a branch of mathematics called knot theory...
, and is not a true knot
Knot (mathematics)
In mathematics, a knot is an embedding of a circle in 3-dimensional Euclidean space, R3, considered up to continuous deformations . A crucial difference between the standard mathematical and conventional notions of a knot is that mathematical knots are closed—there are no ends to tie or untie on a...
according to the definitions of mathematical knot theory.
Structure
The Solomon's knot consists of two closed loops, which are doubly interlinked in an alternating (interlacedInterlace (visual arts)
In the visual arts, interlace is a decorative element found in medieval art. In interlace, bands or portions of other motifs are looped, braided, and knotted in complex geometric patterns, often to fill a space. Islamic interlace patterns and Celtic knotwork share similar patterns, suggesting a...
) manner. In other words, if laid flat, the Solomon's knot is seen to have four crossings where the two loops interweave under and over each other (as opposed to only two crossings in the simpler Hopf link
Hopf link
thumb|right|[[Skein relation]] for the Hopf link.In mathematical knot theory, the Hopf link, named after Heinz Hopf, is the simplest nontrivial link with more than one component. It consists of two circles linked together exactly once...
).
In most artistic representations, the parts of the loops that alternately cross over and under each other become the sides of a central square, while four loopings extend outward in four directions. The four extending loopings may have oval
Oval
An oval is any curve resembling an egg or an ellipse, such as a Cassini oval. The term does not have a precise mathematical definition except in one area oval , but it may also refer to:* A sporting arena of oval shape** a cricket field...
, square
Square (geometry)
In geometry, a square is a regular quadrilateral. This means that it has four equal sides and four equal angles...
, or triangular
Triangle
A triangle is one of the basic shapes of geometry: a polygon with three corners or vertices and three sides or edges which are line segments. A triangle with vertices A, B, and C is denoted ....
endings, or may terminate with free-form shapes such as leaves, lobes, blades, wings etc.
Occurrences
The Solomon's knot often occurs in ancient RomanAncient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
mosaic
Mosaic
Mosaic is the art of creating images with an assemblage of small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials. It may be a technique of decorative art, an aspect of interior decoration, or of cultural and spiritual significance as in a cathedral...
s, usually represented as two interlaced ovals.
Tzippori National Park
Tzippori
Tzippori , also known as Sepphoris, Dioceserea and Saffuriya is located in the central Galilee region, north-northwest of Nazareth, in modern-day Israel...
, Israel, has Solomon’s Knots in stone mosaics at the site of an ancient synagogue.
The Treasury, National Museum of Ireland
National Museum of Ireland
The National Museum of Ireland is the national museum in Ireland. It has three branches in Dublin and one in County Mayo, with a strong emphasis on Irish art, culture and natural history.-Archaeology:...
, Archaeology, Dublin, Republic of Ireland displays the twelfth century CE Cross of Cong
Cross of Cong
The Cross of Cong is an early 12th century Irish Christian ornamented cusped processional cross, which was, as an inscription says, made for Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair , King of Connacht and High King of Ireland to donate to the Cathedral church of the period that was located at Tuam, County...
. In contrast to more elaborate designs usually seen are two very small Solomon’s Knots in simple, pure form at the junction of the Cross, one on either side of the Quartz Crystal covered hollow that once held a sliver of the Christian “True Cross.”
Across the Middle East, historical Islamic sites show Solomon's knot as part of Muslim tradition. It appears over the doorway of an early twentieth century CE mosque/madrasa in Cairo. Two versions of Solomon's knot are included in the recently excavated Yattir Mosaic in Jordan. To the east, it is woven into an antique Central Asian prayer rug. To the west, Solomon's knot appeared in Moorish Spain, and it shines in leaded glass windows in a late twentieth century CE mosque in the United States. The British Museum, London, England has a fourteenth century CE Egyptian Qur'an with a Solomon’s Knot as its frontispiece.
University of California at Los Angeles Fowler Museum of Cultural History, USA has a large African collection that includes nineteenth and twentieth century CE Yoruba glass beadwork crowns and masks decorated with Solomon’s Knots.
Home of Peace Mausoleum, a Jewish Cemetery, Los Angeles, California, USA has multiple images of Solomon’s knot in stone and concrete bas reliefs sculpted 1934 CE.
Saint Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral, “Byzantine District” of Los Angeles, California, USA has an olive wood Epitaphios (bier for Christ) with Solomon's knots carved at each corner. The Epitaphios is used in the Greek Easter services.
Powell Library
Powell Library
Powell Library is the main college undergraduate library on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles . It was constructed from 1926 to 1929 and was one of the original four buildings that comprised the UCLA campus in the early period of the university's life...
University of California at Los Angeles, USA has ceiling beams in the Main Reading Room covered with Solomon’s Knots. Built in 1926 CE, the reading room also features a central Dome of Wisdom bordered by Solomon's knots. http://www.flickr.com/photos/51035651716@N01/3084186024/
Name
In Latin, this configuration was sometimes known as sigillum Salomonis, meaning literally "seal of Solomon". It was associated with the Biblical monarch Solomon because of his reputation for wisdom and knowledge (and in some legends, his occult powers). This phrase is usually rendered into English as "Solomon's knot", since "seal of SolomonSeal of Solomon
In Medieval Jewish, Christian and Islamic legends, the Seal of Solomon was a magical signet ring said to have been possessed by King Solomon, which variously gave him the power to command demons, genies , or to speak with animals.-In legend :...
" has other conflicting meanings (often referring to either a Star of David
Star of David
The Star of David, known in Hebrew as the Shield of David or Magen David is a generally recognized symbol of Jewish identity and Judaism.Its shape is that of a hexagram, the compound of two equilateral triangles...
or pentagram
Pentagram
A pentagram is the shape of a five-pointed star drawn with five straight strokes...
). In the study of ancient mosaics, the Solomon's knot is often known as a "guilloche knot" or "duplex knot", while a Solomon's knot in the center of a decorative configuration of four curving arcs is known as a "pelta-swastika" (where pelta is Latin for "shield").
Among other names currently in use are the following:
"Foundation Knot" applies to the interweaving or interlacing which is the basis for many elaborate Celtic designs. and is used in the United States in crochet and macramé patterns.
"Imbolo" describes the knot design on the textiles of the Kuba
Kuba Kingdom
The Kuba Kingdom was a pre-colonial Central African state bordered by the Sankuru, Lulua, and Kasai rivers in the southeast of what is today the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
people of Congo.
"Nodo di Salomone" is the Italian term for Solomon’s Knot, and is used to name the Solomon’s Knot mosaic found at the ruins of a synagogue at Ostia, the ancient seaport for Rome.
Symbolism
Since the knot has been used across a number of cultures and historical eras, it can be given a range of symbolic interpretations.Because there is no visible beginning or ending, it may represent immortality and eternity—as does the more complicated Buddhist Endless Knot
Endless knot
The endless knot or eternal knot is a symbolic knot and one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols. It is an important cultural marker in places significantly influenced by Tibetan Buddhism such as Tibet, Mongolia, Tuva, Kalmykia, and Buryatia...
.
Because the knot seems to be two entwined figures, it is sometimes interpreted as a Lover's Knot, although that name may indicate another knot
True lover's knot
The true lover's knot is a name which has been used for many distinct knots. The association of knots with the symbolism of love, friendship, and affection dates back to antiquity...
.
Because of religious connections, the knot is sometimes designated the all-faith symbol of faith, but, at the same time, it appears in many places as a valued secular symbol of prestige, importance, beauty.
Solomon’s Knot appears on tombstones and mausoleums in Jewish graveyards and catacombs in many nations. In this context, Solomon’s Knot is currently interpreted to symbolize eternity.
Some seek to connect it with Solomon by translating the Hebrew word peka'im (פקעים) found in the Bible at I Kings 6:18 and I Kings 7:24 as meaning "knobs" or "knots", and interpreting it to refer to Solomon's knot; however, the more accepted modern translation of this word is "gourd-shaped ornaments".
In Africa, Solomon’s knot is found on glass beadwork, textiles, and carvings of the Yoruba people. When the knot appears in this culture, it often denotes royal status; thus, it is featured on crowns, tunics, and other ceremonial objects. Also in Africa, the Knot is found on Kasai velvet, the raffia woven cloth of the Kuba people. They attribute mystical meaning to it, as do the Akan People of West Africa who stamp it on their sacred Adinkra cloth. In the Adinkra
Adinkra
Adinkra are visual symbols, originally created by the Akan of Ghana and the Gyaman of Cote d'Ivoire in West Africa, that represent concepts or aphorisms. Adinkra are used extensively in fabrics, pottery, logos and advertising. They are incorporated into walls and other architectural features. ...
symbol system, a version of Solomon's knot is the Kramo-bone symbol, interpreted as meaning "one being bad makes all appear to be bad".
In Latvia, when Solomon’s knot is used on textiles and metal work, it is associated with time, motion, and the powers of ancient pagan gods.
In modern science, some versions of the conventionalized sign for an atom (electrons orbiting a nucleus) are variations of Solomon’s knot. The logo of the Joomla software program is a Solomon’s knot.
Sources
A book-length illustrated study of Solomon’s Knot is Seeing Solomon’s Knot, With Photographs by Joel Lipton by Lois Rose Rose, Los Angeles, 2005 (official website http://www.StoneandScott.com/solomonsknot.asp).A few archaeological reports, art books, craft manuals, museum catalogs, auction catalogs, travel books, and religious documents which discuss or depict the Solomon’s Knot configuration are listed below:
- Bain, George. Celtic Art: The Methods of Construction. New York: Dover Publications, 1951, 1973, ISBN 0486-22923-8, 9780486229232. (Examples and history of Solomon’s Knot with many elaborations, pp. 27, 59, 71, 87.)
- Bronze Age Civilization of Central Asia, The: Recent Soviet Discoveries. Armonk, New York: M.E. Sharpe, 1981. (Early examples of Solomon’s Knot from the Gonur 1 settlement, figure 4, p. 233.)
- Chen, Lydia. Chinese Knotting. Taiwan: Echo Publishing Company, 1981, ISBN 0-8048-1389-2. (Instructions for creating a “flat” or Solomon’s Knot, p. 58.)
- Christie's Catalog: The Erlenmeyer Collection of Ancient Near Eastern Stamp Seals and Amulets. London: Christie, Manson & Woods, Auction June 6, 1989. (Cruciform interlace carved stone seal, Ubaid, circa 4500 BCE, Lot 185.)
- Fraser, Douglas and Herbert M. Cole, eds. African Art and Leadership. Madison, Milwaukee, and London: University of Wisconsin Press, 1972.
- Cole, Ibo Art and Authority, p. 85.
- Fraser: Symbols of Ashanti Kingship, pp. 143–144.
- Fraser: King’s ceremonial stool, personal choices of various African leaders, p,209, p. 215, p. 283, p. 290, p. 318
- Fraser: More attention should be paid to the significance of the Solomon’s Knot motif, p. 318.
- Laine, Daniel. African Kings. Berkeley, Toronto: Ten Speed Press, 1991, ISBN 1-58008-272-6. (Two Nigerian chiefs, Oba Oyebade Lipede and Alake of Abeokuta, wear garments with embroidered Solomon’s Knots, p. 63.)
- Lusini, Aldo. The Cathedral of Sienna. Sienna, Italy: 1950. (The choir stall, carved 1363 to 1425: photographs of stalls showing variations of Solomon’s Knot, plate 49, pp. 20–21.)
- Wolpert, Stuart. “UCLA Chemists Make Molecular Rings in the Shape of King Solomon’s Knot, a Symbol of Wisdom,” News release from the University of California at Los Angeles, January 10, 2007, http://www.newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/UCLA-Chemists-Make-Molecular-Rings-7626.aspx?RelNum=7626.
External links
- L4a1 knot-theoretic link on Knot atlas site