True lover's knot

True lover's knot
This article is about the knot. For the species of European moth, see Lycophotia porphyrea.
True lover's knot
True Lover's knot-2.jpg

This variation is also a form of the Matthew Walker knot (#2421).
Names True lover's knot, True Love Knot, Fisherman's knot, Middleman's knot,[1] Shamrock knot[1]
Category Bend
Related Fisherman's knot, Matthew Walker's knot
Typical use symbolism, connecting two lines, lanyards, decorative
ABoK #798, #1038, #1143, #1414, #2418, #2301, #2394, #2420, #2421, #2423, #2424, #2425, #2425, #2426

The true lover's knot (or true love 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 this, it is not possible to consider a single knot to be the "true love knot".[2]

Contents

Naming

Modern western knotting literature has the name for these related knots deriving from stories or legends in which the knots symbolize the connection between a couple in love. Many examples feature sailors separated from their beloved. Ashley notes that it was once common for sailors' wedding rings, where gold wire was wrought to incorporate the "true lovers" knot such that resultant ring would comprise two tori: each flexible to move about the other; yet nevertheless inseparable.[3]

Variations

True lover's knot (#2421) before tightening. The intertwined overhand knots are readily visible.

In practical terms, these knots are generally shown as consisting of two interlocked overhand knots made in two parallel ropes or cords. The variations are differentiated by the way in which the overhand knots interweave and in the final arrangement of the knot.[3] To show if a young couple's love would last, each would take a small limb of a tree and tie a lovers knot. If the knot held and grew for approximately a year, their love would stay true.

References

  1. ^ a b Scouting Resources, A-Z of Knots: S-T, http://www.scoutingresources.org.uk/knots/knots_st.html#t, retrieved 2009-06-14 
  2. ^ van de Griend, P. (1996), "On the True Love Knot", in Turner, J.C.; van de Griend, P., History and Science of Knots, K&E Series on Knots and Everything, 11, Singapore: World Scientific Publishing, pp. 397–417, ISBN 9810224699 
  3. ^ a b Ashley, Clifford W. (1944), The Ashley Book of Knots, New York: Doubleday, pp. 386–388 

See also



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Look at other dictionaries:

  • True Lover's Knot — This article is about the animal. For the rope knot, see True lover s knot. True Lover s Knot Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia …   Wikipedia

  • true-lover's knot — Truelove True love , n. 1. One really beloved. [1913 Webster] 2. (Bot.) A plant. See {Paris}. [1913 Webster] 3. An unexplained word occurring in Chaucer, meaning, perhaps, an aromatic sweetmeat for sweetening the breath. T. R. Lounsbury. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • true lover's knot — noun 1. a knot for tying the ends of two lines together • Syn: ↑fisherman s knot, ↑truelove knot • Hypernyms: ↑knot 2. a stylized or decorative knot used as an emblem of love • Syn: ↑love knot, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • true-lover's knot — true love knot or trueˈ lovˈer s knot noun An ornamental or symbolic knot or interlaced design, as a two looped bow or a knot with two interlaced loops • • • Main Entry: ↑true …   Useful english dictionary

  • true lover's knot — noun Date: 1615 a complicated ornamental knot not readily untied and symbolic of mutual love called also truelove knot see knot illustration …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • true lover's knot — noun a) Any of various knots (for string or the like) having some symmetry. b) A particular species of moth …   Wiktionary

  • lover's knot — noun a stylized or decorative knot used as an emblem of love • Syn: ↑love knot, ↑lovers knot, ↑true lovers knot, ↑true lover s knot • Hypernyms: ↑knot * * * noun …   Useful english dictionary

  • true lovers' knot — noun a stylized or decorative knot used as an emblem of love • Syn: ↑love knot, ↑lovers knot, ↑lover s knot, ↑true lover s knot • Hypernyms: ↑knot …   Useful english dictionary

  • true-love-knot — n. True lover s knot …   New dictionary of synonyms

  • Bowen knot — Knot details name= Bowen knot names= Bowen s knot, Tristram knot, True lover s knot caption= type= type2= strength= origin= related= Unknot, Carrick bend releasing= uses= Heraldic emblem caveat= Not a knot abok number= The Bowen knot is not a… …   Wikipedia

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