True lover's knot

The term true lover's knot, also called true love knot is used for many distinct knots. The association of knots with the symbolism of love, friendship and affection dates back to antiquity. Because of this, no single knot can be determined to be the true "true love knot".[2]

This article is about the knot. For the species of European moth, see True lover's knot (moth).
"Love knot" redirects here. For the Japanese manga, see Love/Knot.
True lover's knot
This variation is also a form of the Matthew Walker knot (#2421).
NamesTrue lover's knot, True Love Knot, Fisherman's knot, Middleman's knot,[1] Shamrock knot[1]
CategoryBend
RelatedFisherman's knot, Matthew Walker's knot
Typical usesymbolism, connecting two lines, lanyards, decorative
ABoK#798, #1038, #1143, #1414, #2418, #2301, #2394, #2420, #2421, #2423, #2424, #2425, #2425, #2426

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

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

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.

Examples in literature
  • "A Love Knot"; a short story about Bengali Hindus featuring a goldsmithed love knot.[4]
  • A “love-knotte” is also referenced in the prologue to the Canterbury Tales.

See also

References
  1. Scouting Resources, A-Z of Knots: S-T, retrieved 2009-06-14
  2. van de Griend, P. (1996), "On the True Love Knot", in Turner, J.C.; van de Griend, P. (eds.), History and Science of Knots, K&E Series on Knots and Everything, 11, Singapore: World Scientific Publishing, pp. 397–417, ISBN 981-02-2469-9
  3. Ashley, Clifford W. (1944), The Ashley Book of Knots, New York: Doubleday, pp. 386–388
  4. Theroux, Paul (1997). The Collected Stories. Penguin Group. pp. 164–176.
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