Endless Knot Meaning: The Buddhist Auspicious Symbol in Chinese Art

The endless knot is an interlaced pattern with no beginning and no end. It is one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism, and in China, where it is called pánzhǎng, it also became one of the basic patterns of decorative knotting.

One of the Eight Auspicious Symbols

The Eight Auspicious Symbols, bājíxiáng in Chinese, are a set of Buddhist emblems that also includes the parasol, the pair of fish, the treasure vase, the lotus, the conch shell, the victory banner and the wheel of the teaching. They were widely used in Tibetan and Chinese Buddhist art and, under the Ming and Qing dynasties, spread onto porcelain, textiles and furnishings far beyond temple settings. The knot is often identified with the Sanskrit śrīvatsa, although the history of that name is debated.

What does it mean?

In Buddhist interpretation, the unbroken, interwoven line expresses the interdependence of all things and the endless wisdom and compassion of the Buddha. Because it has no end, the knot was also read more broadly as a wish for unbroken good fortune and long life.

Pánzhǎng and Chinese knotting

In Chinese the knot is called pánzhǎng, and the pánzhǎng knot is one of the fundamental patterns of Chinese decorative knotting, the red cord knots hung at New Year and at weddings. This is how a Buddhist emblem became part of everyday festive decoration.

Modern feng shui

Modern feng shui guides attach specific placement rules to the knot, for example for love or marriage. Those rules are recent conventions and not part of the Buddhist or historical tradition.

The endless knot in jewellery

A continuous line suits jewellery well. An endless knot design can reference Buddhist art, Chinese knotting or the simple wish that good things should never end. See the AURYN Endless Knot charm, or read our guide to Chinese auspicious symbols.