Chinese Macrame Knots: Chinese knotting (Zhōngguó jié) is a traditional decorative craft that dates back thousands of years. Each knot carries symbolic meaning — from longevity and good fortune to love and protection. Unlike Western macrame, Chinese knots are typically three-dimensional, symmetrical, and made from a single cord without cuts or glue.
In this guide, you will learn:
The full meaning of 22 Chinese macrame knots
Step-by-step how-to for each knot (where space allows)
Cultural symbolism and traditional uses
How to combine knots into jewelry, decorations, and accessories
Why Learn Chinese Knots?
Benefit
Explanation
Rich cultural heritage
Each knot tells a story and carries symbolic meaning
Beautiful three-dimensional shapes
Unlike flat macrame, Chinese knots pop off the surface
Perfect for jewelry
Buttons, pendants, clasps, and decorative accents
Meditative practice
Tying Chinese knots requires focus and patience
Impressive gifts
Handmade knotting is highly valued in Chinese culture
Part 1: Foundational & Connection Knots
1. Double Connection (双联结 / Shuāng lián jié)
Attribute
Detail
Pinyin
Shuāng lián jié
English
Double Connection Knot
Meaning
Connects two cords or two ends of the same cord; represents unity and partnership
Difficulty
Easy
Use
Joining sections of a project, creating loops
How to Make a Double Connection Knot:
Make a loop with the left cord over the right.
Pass the right cord through the loop from underneath.
Tighten carefully. The result looks like two interlocking rings.
2. Sparrow Head Knot (雀头结 / Què tóu jié)
Attribute
Detail
Pinyin
Què tóu jié
English
Sparrow Head Knot / Lark’s Head Knot
Meaning
Named for its resemblance to a sparrow’s head; a simple attachment knot
Difficulty
Very easy
Use
Attaching cords to rings, buckles, or other cords
How to Make a Sparrow Head Knot (Lark’s Head):
Fold a cord in half.
Pass the folded loop through a ring or under another cord.
Pass the two ends through the loop and pull tight.
Part 2: Basic Decorative Knots
3. Snake Knot (蛇结 / Shé jié)
Attribute
Detail
Pinyin
Shé jié
English
Snake Knot
Meaning
Resembles the body segments of a snake; represents protection and transformation
Difficulty
Easy–Medium
Use
Bracelet chains, necklace cords, keychains
How to Make a Snake Knot:
Make a loop with the left cord over the right.
Pass the right cord over the left, under, and up through the loop.
Tighten both ends. Repeat to create a segmented chain.
4. Diamond Knot (钻石结 / Zuàn shí jié)
Attribute
Detail
Pinyin
Zuàn shí jié
English
Diamond Knot
Meaning
Named for its diamond-like shape; represents wealth and clarity
Difficulty
Medium
Use
Decorative beads, stopper knots, pendant settings
5. Two Way Flat Knot (双向平结 / Shuāng xiàng píng jié)
Attribute
Detail
Pinyin
Shuāng xiàng píng jié
English
Two Way Flat Knot (alternating square knot)
Meaning
A flat, symmetrical knot that can be tied in two directions
Difficulty
Easy
Use
Bracelet bodies, straps, handle wraps
This is the same as the alternating square knot you learned in earlier guides — tying left-over-right, then right-over-left.
A knot shaped like a heart; represents love, affection, and emotion
Difficulty
Medium
Use
Valentine’s Day gifts, friendship bracelets, romantic jewelry
24. Pan Chang Knot (盘长结 / Pán cháng jié)
Attribute
Detail
Pinyin
Pán cháng jié
English
Pan Chang Knot / Coil Knot
Meaning
Represents eternity, continuity, and endless love. One of the Eight Treasures knots.
Difficulty
Hard
Use
Centerpieces, wedding decorations, Buddhist art
Note: You have already learned the Pan Chang knot in a previous guide! This is the same eternity knot.
Quick Reference Table: 22 Chinese Knots
#
English Name
Pinyin
Difficulty
Symbolism
1
Double Connection
Shuāng lián jié
Easy
Unity
2
Sparrow Head (Lark’s Head)
Què tóu jié
Very Easy
Attachment
3
Snake Knot
Shé jié
Easy–Medium
Protection
4
Diamond Knot
Zuàn shí jié
Medium
Wealth
5
Two Way Flat Knot
Shuāng xiàng píng jié
Easy
Balance
6
Unidirectional Flat Knot
Dān xiàng píng jié
Easy
Spiral
7
Cross Knot
Shí zì jié
Easy
Faith
8
Dimple Formation
Jiǔ wō jié
Medium
Charm
9
Zao Jing (Caisson)
Zǎo jǐng jié
Hard
Architecture
10
Phoenix Tail
Fèng wěi jié
Medium
Rebirth
11
Oxalis (Lucky)
Xìng yùn jié
Medium
Good luck
12
Corn Knot
Yù mǐ jié
Easy–Medium
Abundance
13
Button Knot
Niǔ kòu jié
Medium–Hard
Closure
14
Peruvian Knot
Bì lǔ jié
Easy
Sliding
15
Pipa (Lute)
Pí pa jié
Hard
Art
16
Double Money
Shuāng qián jié
Medium
Prosperity
17
Mo Xiangli (Never Separate)
Mò xiāng lí jié
Medium
Love
18
Ruyi (As You Wish)
Rú yì jié
Medium
Wishes
19
Wen Chang (Literary)
Wén chāng jié
Medium
Academic success
20
Quiet Settlement
Jìng jié
Medium
Peace
21
True Lover’s
Zhēn ài jié
Medium–Hard
Everlasting love
22
Mandala Knot
Màn tuó luó jié
Hard
Spirituality
23
Heart Knot
Xīn jié
Medium
Affection
24
Pan Chang (Eternity)
Pán cháng jié
Hard
Continuity
How to Practice Chinese Knots
Beginner’s Practice Sequence
Order
Knot
Why Start Here
1
Sparrow Head (Lark’s Head)
Simplest attachment
2
Double Connection
Easy joining knot
3
Two Way Flat Knot
Basic bracelet weave
4
Snake Knot
Segmented chain
5
Corn Knot
Multi-strand structure
6
Button Knot
Essential closure
7
Pan Chang
Advanced eternity symbol
Tools You Will Need
Cord: Satin cord, rattail, or paracord (2–4mm thickness)
Board: Foam or cork board for pinning
Pins: T-pins or glass-headed pins
Fray check or lighter: To seal ends
Tweezers: For tightening small knots
Common Mistakes & Fixes
Mistake
Cause
Fix
Knot twists or collapses
Tension uneven
Pin the knot as you go; tighten slowly and evenly
Can’t find the path
Complex knot like Pan Chang
Use two colors of cord to see which strand goes where
Button knot won’t form
Cord too thick or too thin
Use 2–3mm cord for practice
Knot looks flat instead of 3D
Did not leave enough slack before final tightening
Keep loops loose until the very end
Confusing two way vs. unidirectional
Which direction to tie
Two way = alternating; unidirectional = same side each time
Chinese Knot Vocabulary Cheat Sheet
Chinese
Pinyin
English
结
jié
Knot
中国结
Zhōngguó jié
Chinese knot
双联结
shuāng lián jié
Double connection
雀头结
què tóu jié
Sparrow head
蛇结
shé jié
Snake knot
平结
píng jié
Flat knot
十字结
shí zì jié
Cross knot
凤尾结
fèng wěi jié
Phoenix tail
纽扣结
niǔ kòu jié
Button knot
琵琶结
pí pa jié
Pipa knot
双钱结
shuāng qián jié
Double money
如意结
rú yì jié
Ruyi knot
盘长结
pán cháng jié
Pan Chang knot
What to Make with Chinese Knots
Project
Recommended Knots
Adjustable bracelet
Peruvian knot (sliding) + Snake knot
Traditional Chinese bracelet
Pan Chang knot + Button knot closure
Good luck charm
Oxalis knot + Double money knot
Wedding gift
True Lover’s knot + Double connection
Student gift
Wen Chang knot + Ruyi knot
Meditation mala
Quiet Settlement + Mandala knot
Keychain
Corn knot + Sparrow head
Hair ornament
Pipa knot + Phoenix tail tassel
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Chinese Macrame Knots Guide: 22 Traditional Knots & Their Meanings
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Learn 22 Chinese macrame knots including Pan Chang, Button Knot, Snake Knot, Ruyi, Double Money, and True Lover’s Knot. Complete guide with meanings and how-to.
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Chinese knots, 中国结, Pan Chang knot, button knot, snake knot, ruyi knot, double money knot, Chinese macrame
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Chart of 22 Chinese macrame knots including Double Connection, Sparrow Head, Snake, Diamond, Flat knots, Cross, Dimple, Zao Jing, Phoenix Tail, Oxalis, Corn, Button, Peruvian, Pipa, Double Money, Mo Xiangli, Ruyi, Wen Chang, Quiet Settlement, True Lover’s, Mandala, Heart, and Pan Chang
Final Pro Tip: The Philosophy of Chinese Knots
In traditional Chinese culture, knots are never cut or glued. The entire piece is made from one continuous cord — representing an unbroken life, endless love, or infinite good fortune. When you give a handmade Chinese knot as a gift, you are giving these blessings along with the object.
“A knot tied well cannot be undone by force — only by patience. So it is with relationships, promises, and destiny.”
Summary: You Now Know 22 Chinese Knots
Category
Knots
Basic attachments
Double Connection, Sparrow Head
Flat & spiral
Two Way Flat, Unidirectional Flat, Cross
Dimensional
Diamond, Dimple, Zao Jing, Mandala
Animal/nature
Snake, Phoenix Tail, Oxalis, Corn
Traditional classics
Button, Pipa, Pan Chang
Prosperity
Double Money, Ruyi
Love & relationships
Mo Xiangli, True Lover’s, Heart
Spiritual
Quiet Settlement, Wen Chang
Utility
Peruvian (sliding)
Bookmark this guide and refer back whenever you encounter a Chinese knot pattern. Each knot you master connects you to thousands of years of tradition.
