The endless knot or eternal knot is a symbolic knot and one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols. It is an important symbol in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. It is an important cultural marker in places significantly influenced by Tibetan Buddhism such as Tibet, Mongolia, Tuva, Kalmykia, and Buryatia. It is also found in Celtic, Kazakh and Chinese symbolism.
History
The endless knot appears on clay tablets from the Indus Valley civilization (2500 BC) and on a historic era inscription.
Interpretations
Buddhism
Various Buddhist interpretations of the symbol are:
The endless knot iconography symbolised Samsara i.e., the endless cycle of suffering of birth, death and rebirth within Tibetan Buddhism. The inter-twining of wisdom and compassion. Interplay and interaction of the opposing forces in the dualistic world of manifestation, leading to their union, and ultimately to harmony in the universe. The mutual dependence of religious doctrine and secular affairs. The union of wisdom and method. The inseparability of emptiness (shunyata) and dependent origination, the underlying reality of existence. The link between ancestors and omnipresence represented by the etymology of Tantra, Yoga and religion) (see Namkha.) The wisdom of the Buddha as neither are said to have a beginning or end.
Hinduism
In Hinduism, Srivatsa is mentioned as 'connected to shree', i.e the goddess Lakshmi. It is a mark on the chest of Vishnu where his consort Lakshmi resides. According to the Vishnu purana, the tenth avatar of Vishnu, Kalki, will bear the Shrivatsa mark on his chest. It is one of the names of Vishnu in the Vishnu Sahasranamam. Srivatsa is considered to be auspicious symbol in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Jainism
In Jainism it is one of the eight auspicious items, an asthamangala, however found only in the Svetambara sect. It is often found marking the chests of the 24 tirthankaras. It is more commonly referred to as the Shrivatsa.
Logo
A stylized version of the endless knot is the logo of China Unicom.
See also
74 knot
Celtic knot
Chinese knotting
Eternal return
Indra's net
Islamic interlace patterns
Mandala
Möbius strip
Namkha
Oseberg style
Ouroboros
Pan Chang knot
Solomon's knot
Trefoil knot
Triquetra
Valknut
Yin and yang
Notes and references
External links
"The Endless Knot (Skt. shrivatsa; Tib. dpal be'u)", TwilightBridge.com. "Endless Knot", ReligionFacts.com.