Ever since man could tie a knot they have held a fascination that has inspired works of art appeared in literature and where even used in religious practice some still to this day.
The religious references of knot appear in nearly all religions including:-
- Catholic – it was traditional when calling on a saint a catholic would tie a knot which is said to bind the saint to the person until was requested had been completed.
- Islam – in Islam Mohammed was cured by a knot and would of died due to the curse. The finding and un-knotting the knot breaks the curse saving Mohammed’s life
In Islam tying a knot in the beard would protect from the evil eye. And while at sea knots would be tied to end strong and violent winds.
It is also forbidden to have any knots in clothing if your visiting Mecca. - Buddhist – according to The Penguin Dictionary buying prescription drugs online without a prescription of Symbols (Penguin Dictionaries)
. the untying of a knot is referred as a “process of libation”
- Hinduism – Knot are commonly associated with the gods of death.
Even in historical societies and cultures knot have appeared and been used, drawn and wrote about. knot have also played a major part in their mythologies. On of the most well know mythologies regarding knots is the Fate the weavers, knotters and cutters of the threads of life giving rise to the idea that tying two bits of sting together was a symbol of a union. The tying of a knot as union is part of many culture passed and present and has helped influence wedding lore, even today weddings are referred to as tying the knot. There are many wedding lores some have been lost like “it was forbidden to tie a knot at someone wedding in case you stop the union between man and wife” or like the wedding vale which is still around today although it has change from it original form which was originally a knotted net warn on the head to prevent evil attacks.
Knot appear in many cultural superstition, customs and magicks Knots have a close association to the seas not just in the rigging but also in magicks the most famous of these being the Wind Knot mentioned in the The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion (Oxford World’s Classics)
In Magicks and superstition the tying and untying of knots has great importance and can be used to cure and curse. Knot magicks and knots are still used today and play a part in some neo pagan initiation rituals.
The most common versions of knot magicks used today is a cord with 7 or 9 knots tied along the length of the cord starting in the middle with the first knot and adding a knot to each side in turn (left side of knot, then right, then etc) while a simple rhythm is chanted such as:-
By knot of one, the spell’s begun,
By knot of two, the spell comes true,
By knot of three, it comes to be,
By knot of four, this power I store,
By knot of five, this spell contrive,
By knot of six, the spell is fixed,
By knot of seven, by earth and heaven,
By knot of eight, the web of Fate,
By knot of nine, the thing is mine!
A less common version of the 7 or 9 knotted cord is the 40 knotted cord often called the [wikipedia]Witches ladder[/wikipedia] or [wikipedia]Witches rosary[/wikipedia] manly used as a counter of prays or chants in much the same way as a Catholic rosary, Japa mala or bismillah prayer beads are used.
Knots today are still as important today as they have ever been not only in magicks but in daily life a simple knot has many uses look around they are everywhere.
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