Humankind comes from nature and returns to it. Not only human beings but also every living creature that exists has a starting point from which it is born, and to which it returns when its journey of life is completed. It is the law of nature. Maedeup, or the traditional Korean art of decorative knotting, demonstrates this law as a piece of string originates at a certain point then creates wonderful, intricate shapes before finishing where it began, completing its cycle. Maedeup is a splendid decorative art that employs various methods to create a multitude of patterns using string. However, knotting was one of the most basic skills mankind needed for survival in ancient history. It was only after the development of knotting techniques to bind two or more things together that people invented diverse tools for hunting and fishing, such as bows, arrows and nets. From then on they made farming tools by fastening wooden sticks with stones including shovels and hoes, which led to the construction of houses, contributing to the dramatic development in inventions to aid production and convenience. Eventually, knotting became developed for communication purposes, to exchange letters and numbers. The art of knotting gradually found its use in decorations and rituals, firmly establishing itself as an important part of traditional handicrafts through its exquisite beauty that no other can imitate. In Korea, maedeup developed into a distinctive decorative art through its long history, generating countless fashion, household and ritual items, used in both court ceremonies and the lives of the common people, to adorn musical instruments, fans, dresses, flags and palanquins. According to Daejeon Hoetong (“Comprehensive Assembly Code”), a book published by the late Joseon Dynasty, distinguished maedeup makers were called dahoejang, or ‘master artists of strings,’and were employed as public servants to produce varied maedeup items used by the court and public offices. Records shows that there was a great demand for maedeup pieces during the Joseon Dynasty and maedeup skills were developed to a very high level. The art of decorative knotting developed in many parts of the world, but Korean maedeup is unique in that it is both a beautiful work of art to be admired and appreciated, as well as a decorative accessory piece. Unlike macrame, the Western knotting art that makes two-dimensional works, Korean maedeup creates an enigmatic elegance of balance with finely wrought three-dimensional patterns made from a single string. Each maedeup work made by the dexterous hands of the Joseon ladies displays the insight, creativity and artistic spirit of Korean women as well as their fashionable lives. Korean maedeup is characterized by the beauty achieved by the trinitarian union of string (kkeunmok), knotting (maedeup) and tassel (sul). The trinity establishes perfect harmony in a delightful ornament for a lady or ceremonial event: the kkeunmok made by twisting several silk threads together that have been dyed with natural pigments; the main part of a maedeup piece knotted with two strands into various organic symmetrical patterns and shapes; and a tassel at the end freely hanging down creates the final touch to highlight the colors and patterns of the entire work. Other special characteristics of Korean maedeup is that not only it is symmetrical with the same pattern on both sides, but also a maedeup piece (even one with a complex pattern) is made by just one string, whose knotting begins and ends at the same point. In Korea, decorative knotting items were used to make a special occasion even more wonderful. They decorated lanterns that were hung under the eaves of houses to herald celebratory events, as well as ‘flower palanquins’ that brides rode in on their wedding day, musical instruments that were played for court ceremonies or religious services, and biers for carrying the dead during funerals. Maedeup played an important role in Korean Buddhist tradition too, as many remaining Buddha images and paintings reveal Buddhas and Bodhisattvas decorated with beautiful maedeup works; this adornment helped remove the hard cold touches of metal or stone of which a Buddhist image was made, replacing them with tender and elegant nobility. The beauty of Korean maedeup displaying finely wrought complex patterns knotted with just one silk string is evidence of the wisdom of daily life dramatically transformed into exquisite decorative art. The graceful and extraordinary knotting techniques combined with bold colors and enigmatically delicate patterns are achieved by the incredibly nimble and deft hands of a Korean woman. At the same time, a maedeup’s beauty is an expression and reflection of her tender, loving heart that embraces and reveres life.

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