Wrap · Gifts
Butterfly knot
A box wrap finished with two spread 'wings' on top, a neat, modest choice for holiday gifts and gifts to elders.
- For
- Holiday gifts, gifts for elders and teachers
- Wraps
- Box (rectangular)
- Cloth
- laid as a diamond
- Closed with
- Double-tie (square knot by two ties)
- Level
- Easy
Taught by name in Korean bojagi-wrapping courses (Yonsei course week 2/3, '나비 매듭') and in holiday-gift guides as a neat, modest finish.
About 3 times the box size (sano)
- 1Lay the cloth as a diamond and put the gift in the centre.
- 2Tuck the near corner under the box, pushing it inward.
- 3Fold the far corner up and over so it covers the centre of the top.
- 4Lift the left and right corners, cross them at the centre and tie.
- 5Tie a second time so the knot will not slip.
- 6Spread the two ends wide with your hands into butterfly wings.
History & tradition
Modern Korea, gift-wrapping classes (2000s onward)
A modern decorative finish built on the basic tie: the front and back corners are tucked away and only the side corners are knotted, then spread into 'wings'. Korean gift guides call it simple and 'traditional in style', but no historical source names it; it belongs to the gift-wrapping revival that grew from the late 2000s as bojagi came back into use for holiday presents. Its neat, modest look makes it a common choice for gifts to elders and teachers.
A standard early lesson in Korean bojagi-wrapping courses and holiday-gift guides.
Guides describe it as 'traditional'; this means traditional in feel, not a documented Joseon knot.
Researched with medium confidence.