Olympic Games 2008-Chinese knot 北京2008奥运中国结

Chinese Knot(中国结)is a type of national handicrafts with long history and profound cultural connotations. Appeared in ancient time, developed in Tang and Song Dynasty (960-1229A.D.)and popularized in Ming and Qing Dynasty (1368-1911A.D.) Chinese Knot has now become a kind of elegant and colorful arts and crafts from its original practical use.

In 1980, some dedicated connoisseurs collected an arranged the decorative yet practical knots that have been passed down through the centuries in China. After studying the structures of these knots, the devotees set about creating new variations and increasing the decorative value of the knots. These exquisitely symmetrical knots which come in so many forms are as profound as the great cultural heritage of the Chinese people.

Purely hand-made, each knot is woven out of one entire silk thread, and bestowed a name in tune with its shape and implied meaning. By combining different knots or other auspicious adornments skillfully, an unique auspicious ornament which represents beauty, idea and wishes is formed. For example, "Full of joy". "Happiness & Longevity", "Double Happiness". "Luck and Auspiciousness as one wishes" are Chinese traditional pleasant phrases expressing warmest regards, best wishes and finest ideal.

In Chinese language, "knot" has the meanings of reunion, friendliness, warm, marriage, love etc. In addition, "knot" and "luck, felicity" have the same pronunciation, so chinese knots are often used to express some good wish including happy,prosper,love and no evil.

In nowadays, Chinese Knot has various products. The two main series are auspicious hanging and knitting clothing adornment. Auspicious hanging includes large tapestry, big room hanging, automobile hanging etc. Knitting clothing adornment includes ring, eardrop, hand chain, necklace and other woman's special adornments.