Maedeup · Basic

Dorae knot (double connection knot)

도래매듭dorae maedeup

A small, round, firm knot that starts, spaces and locks the cords in almost every Korean knotted piece.

Meaning: Usually left untranslated. 도래 suggests turning round, and the knot forms a small round body, so it is sometimes glossed as 'round knot'.
Wishes for: Valued less for a single meaning than as the foundation of the craft: most compound knots begin and end with a dorae.
Cord: One cord folded in half (two strands hanging down), or two separate cords.
Used on: start and finish of almost every piece, spacer between knots, locking knots so cords do not unravel, norigae, jamjari tail, bracelets
Level: Easy

1Hold the cord folded at the top so two strands hang down; call them cord A (left) and cord B (right).
2Loop cord A under cord B.
3Pass the end of cord A through the loop it just made, forming a loose knot around cord B.
4Hold that A-loop and flip it under cord B; the two cords have now swapped sides.
5Loop cord B under the A-loop, then pass the end of cord B through the A-loop.
6Snug the B-loop down on top of the A-knot.
7Take cord B over the middle loops and strands and pass it through its own B-loop.
8Tighten the A-loop; slide the knot up or down the cord to position it while tightening, then work the slack out with an awl so the knot is a small round, symmetrical bead.

History & tradition

Joseon (basic knot of the court and folk craft)

The 도래매듭 is the first knot a learner ties and the first knot on most pieces: the court 대삼작노리개 opens with it before the 생쪽 and other knots, and it also appears on curtain tassels (방장유소). Its job is structural, locking cords between the decorative knots, so it is found on almost every surviving norigae.

Still the opening lesson in every maedeup class and in modern bracelets and keyrings.

Researched with medium confidence.

Sources

Sources for this entry

NextLotus bud knot (button knot)

연봉매듭yeonbong maedeup