Maedeup
Maedeup · Basic
Ginger knot (cloverleaf knot)
생쪽매듭saengjjok maedeup
A small three-looped knot, the most widely used Korean knot and the base of many larger ones.
- Meaning
- Named because its three small round loops resemble a piece/slice of ginger (생강 쪽). In Daegu and Namwon called 정자(井字)매듭 for the 井 shape at its centre.
- Wishes for
- The representative knot of Korean maedeup and the most widely used, prized for its clean, balanced form.
- Cord
- One cord folded in half (can be chained sideways using only the right-hand cord).
- Used on
- norigae, 유소, pouches, joining larger knots, chained for bracelets/necklaces, base of 삼정자, 가지방석, 석씨, 병아리, 장구, 벌 knots
- Learn first
- Dorae knot (double connection knot)
- Level
- Easy
Step-by-step instructions for this knot are still to come.
History & tradition
Joseon
Named for its three small loops, likened to a piece of ginger, the 생쪽매듭 is called the representative traditional knot and the most widely used: norigae, 유소 tassels and pouches all carry it, across every class. In Daegu and Namwon it was called 정자(井字)매듭 for the 井 shape at its centre. It is the base of the 가지방석, 병아리, 석씨, 장구 and 벌 knots, and it can be chained using only the right-hand cord.
A core beginner knot today, chained into bracelets and necklaces.
The AKS dictionary calls it 'representative' and 'most widely used', not 'oldest' as the existing symbolism field says.
Sources for this entry
귀도래매듭gwidorae maedeup