Ⅰ. What Is a Palace Tassel?

In traditional Chinese culture, palace tassels (宫绦) 🎗️ were also known as knotted cords, tassels, knots, or decorative braids. The Chinese word for “knot” (结) is a homophone for “auspicious” (吉), symbolizing good fortune and blessings.

A palace tassel is a long, colorful silk cord, often adorned with intricate knotwork, pendants, and tassels at both ends. It is tied around the waist as an accessory, with its delicate ornaments swaying gracefully with movement, adding an elegant and refined touch to traditional attire.

Throughout Chinese history—from the Qin and Han dynasties to the Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing—knots have been widely used in clothing and accessories, carrying profound cultural meanings of prosperity, harmony, and beauty.

Ⅱ. Common Palace Tassel Knot Designs  

Palace tassels often feature a variety of intricate knots, with some of the most commonly used designs including the Oxalis corniculata Knot (酢浆草结), Tuanjin Knot (团锦结), and Wanzi Knot (万字结).  

1. Oxalis corniculata Knot (酢浆草结)

The Oxalis corniculata Knot is named for its resemblance to the clover plant and is sometimes referred to as the Chinese-style bow. Oxalis corniculata is considered a symbol of luck, so this knot is also called the Lucky Knot, representing continuous good fortune.  

Traditionally, the Oxalis corniculata Knot is used in sashes and decorative fastenings on traditional clothing. It can also be tied to objects as an ornament. Typically made with thin silk ribbons, this knot features three or four loops, sometimes stacked in a double-layered design. Since its shape resembles the cross-like petals of a Oxalis corniculata, it was given this name.  

In historical fashion, the Oxalis corniculata Knot sash was often used to hold down the folds of a skirt, similar to a “禁步” accessory (The Jinbu is a kind of ornament worn around the waist. When one walks, it emits sounds with a proper rhythm, neither too fast nor too slow, and the volume is neither too loud nor too soft. ), adding elegance and grace as it swayed with movement.

Interestingly, the Oxalis corniculata plant itself, commonly found in childhood fields, is also a medicinal herb recorded in the ancient Chinese text Compendium of Materia Medica (《本草纲目》). Since knots have long symbolized good fortune and protection, this design is also called the Lucky Knot. When tied with six loops, it is known as the tuanjin Knot (团锦结), representing prosperity, unity, and auspicious blessings.

The Oxalis corniculata Knot is generally used in two parts. One is to hang it at the waist (or directly tie a knot for decoration with the extended part of the belt, which can be connected to a jade ring and is also known as the “Jade Ring Ribbon”), which is often seen in paintings of ladies. The other is to connect it with a yingluo (璎珞, a kind of ornamental necklace) collar and hang it on the chest or over the shoulders, which is commonly found in paintings with the theme of immortals.

When hung around the waist, it generally serves as a decorative function, but it also has a special ceremonial nature. For example, when matching with formal attire, a more complex ribbon will be used. It is an accessory that people of a certain status will use in important ceremonial scenes, such as with court costumes and sacrificial costumes. Generally, multiple Oxalis corniculata Knots are connected and used in combination.

2. Tuanjin Knot (团锦结)

Tuanjin Knot also known as the Six-petal Flower Knot, has a perfect and round shape, looking like a cluster of blooming flowers. It symbolizes reunion, unity, and a bright and promising future.

3. The Wanzi Knot (万字结)

The Wanzi Knot is also one of the basic Chinese knots. It gets its name because its shape is like the “卍” symbol. The Wanzi Knot implies that everything goes well, and good fortune and longevity will last for generations.

Ⅲ. Fun Fact: The Meaning Behind the “卍” Symbol

The 卍 symbol originates from the Sanskrit word “स्वस्तिक” (Svastika), which means auspiciousness and well-being. In its original context, it represented the rotational path of the sun or a spinning fire wheel. The four extending arms symbolize the transcendence of space (the four directions) and time (the four seasons).

In Buddhism, the right-facing swastika (卍) is a sacred symbol that represents the cosmic order and the spread of Dharma (Buddhist teachings). It is typically depicted in gold and often accompanied by a lotus flower. This is completely different from the Nazi symbol, which is left-facing (卐), black, and tilted at a 45-degree angle. It’s important not to confuse the two! If you accidentally mix them up when explaining the Wanzi Knot (万字结) to someone, it could lead to an awkward misunderstanding. 😣

What’s more we have a question, why is the Buddhist 卍 Right-Facing? Actually, in Tibetan Buddhism, prayer wheels are spun in a clockwise direction. This reflects the belief that the universe, celestial movements, and the natural cycles of day and night all follow a clockwise motion. Turning a prayer wheel clockwise symbolizes aligning oneself with the natural order of the universe, promoting harmony between humans and nature.

In Buddhism, this motion represents pursuing the right path, striving for self-improvement, and moving toward enlightenment and liberation from suffering—a core teaching of Buddhist philosophy.

Ⅳ. How to Tie the Oxalis corniculata Knot

So how do you tie this knot? Let’s start with the simpler three-petal style, as shown in the image above. Once you’ve mastered it, feel free to leave your feedback in the comments! If you’re still having trouble, don’t worry—check out the next blog post for more exciting tips!