Difference between revisions of "Endless knot"
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[[File:Endlessknot.svg.png|thumb|250px|The endless knot.]] | [[File:Endlessknot.svg.png|thumb|250px|The endless knot.]] | ||
| − | The endless knot or eternal knot (Sanskrit: Shrivatsa; Tibetan Dpal be'u) is a symbolic knot and one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols. It is an important cultural marker in places significantly influenced by Tibetan Buddhism such as Tibet, Mongolia, Tuva, Kalmykia, and Buryatia. It is also sometimes found in Chinese art and used in Chinese knots. | + | The [[endless knot]] or [[eternal knot]] ([[Sanskrit]]: [[Shrivatsa]]; [[Tibetan]] Dpal be'u) is a [[symbolic]] knot and one of the [[Eight Auspicious Symbols]]. It is an important {{Wiki|cultural}} marker in places significantly influenced by [[Tibetan Buddhism]] such as [[Tibet]], [[Mongolia]], [[Tuva]], [[Kalmykia]], and [[Buryatia]]. It is also sometimes found in {{Wiki|Chinese}} [[art]] and used in {{Wiki|Chinese}} knots. |
== Interpretations == | == Interpretations == | ||
[[File:Endless_knot_Red_lacquerware_dish_Ming_Dynasty.jpg|thumb|250px|More complex form seen on ca. 400 year old Chinese lacquerware dish.]] | [[File:Endless_knot_Red_lacquerware_dish_Ming_Dynasty.jpg|thumb|250px|More complex form seen on ca. 400 year old Chinese lacquerware dish.]] | ||
| − | The endless knot has been described as "an ancient symbol representing the interweaving of the Spiritual path, the flowing of Time and Movement within That Which is Eternal. All existence, it says, is bound by time and change, yet ultimately rests serenely within the Divine and the Eternal. Various interpretations of the symbol are: | + | The [[endless knot]] has been described as "an {{Wiki|ancient}} [[symbol]] representing the interweaving of the [[Spiritual]] [[path]], the flowing of [[Time]] and {{Wiki|Movement}} within That Which is [[Eternal]]. All [[existence]], it says, is bound by [[time]] and change, yet ultimately rests serenely within the [[Divine]] and the [[Eternal]]. Various interpretations of the [[symbol]] are: |
| − | * Eternal Love and Friendship | + | * [[Eternal]] [[Love]] and [[Friendship]] |
| − | * The Endless knot iconography symbolised Samsara i.e., the endless cycle of suffering or birth, death and rebirth within Tibetan Buddhism. | + | * The [[Endless knot]] {{Wiki|iconography}} symbolised [[Samsara]] i.e., the [[endless]] cycle of [[suffering]] or [[birth]], [[death]] and [[rebirth]] within [[Tibetan Buddhism]]. |
| − | * The inter-twining of wisdom and compassion. | + | * The inter-twining of [[wisdom]] and [[compassion]]. |
| − | * Interplay and interaction of the opposing forces in the dualistic world of manifestation, leading to their union, and ultimately to harmony in the universe. | + | * Interplay and interaction of the opposing forces in the [[dualistic]] [[world]] of [[manifestation]], leading to their union, and ultimately to [[harmony]] in the [[universe]]. |
| − | * The mutual dependence of religious doctrine and secular affairs. | + | * The mutual {{Wiki|dependence}} of [[religious]] [[doctrine]] and secular affairs. |
| − | * The union of wisdom and method. | + | * The union of [[wisdom]] and method. |
| − | * The inseparability of emptiness (shunyata) and dependent origination, the underlying reality of existence. | + | * The inseparability of [[emptiness]] ([[shunyata]]) and [[dependent origination]], the underlying [[reality]] of [[existence]]. |
| − | * Symbolic of knot symbolism in linking ancestors and omnipresence and the magical ritual and meta-process of binding (refer etymology of Tantra, Yoga and religion) (see Namkha.) | + | * [[Symbolic]] of knot [[symbolism]] in linking {{Wiki|ancestors}} and {{Wiki|omnipresence}} and the [[magical]] [[ritual]] and meta-process of binding (refer {{Wiki|etymology}} of [[Tantra]], [[Yoga]] and [[religion]]) (see [[Namkha]].) |
| − | * Since the knot has no beginning or end it also symbolizes the wisdom of the Buddha. | + | * Since the knot has no beginning or end it also [[symbolizes]] the [[wisdom]] of the [[Buddha]]. |
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
Revision as of 09:55, 21 November 2013
The endless knot or eternal knot (Sanskrit: Shrivatsa; Tibetan Dpal be'u) is a symbolic knot and one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols. It is an important cultural marker in places significantly influenced by Tibetan Buddhism such as Tibet, Mongolia, Tuva, Kalmykia, and Buryatia. It is also sometimes found in Chinese art and used in Chinese knots.
Interpretations
The endless knot has been described as "an ancient symbol representing the interweaving of the Spiritual path, the flowing of Time and Movement within That Which is Eternal. All existence, it says, is bound by time and change, yet ultimately rests serenely within the Divine and the Eternal. Various interpretations of the symbol are:
- Eternal Love and Friendship
- The Endless knot iconography symbolised Samsara i.e., the endless cycle of suffering or birth, death and rebirth within Tibetan Buddhism.
- The inter-twining of wisdom and compassion.
- Interplay and interaction of the opposing forces in the dualistic world of manifestation, leading to their union, and ultimately to harmony in the universe.
- The mutual dependence of religious doctrine and secular affairs.
- The union of wisdom and method.
- The inseparability of emptiness (shunyata) and dependent origination, the underlying reality of existence.
- Symbolic of knot symbolism in linking ancestors and omnipresence and the magical ritual and meta-process of binding (refer etymology of Tantra, Yoga and religion) (see Namkha.)
- Since the knot has no beginning or end it also symbolizes the wisdom of the Buddha.
