11/02/2025
The eight auspicious symbols: The Eternal Knot
The eternal or endless knot is a closed ornament of overlapping interwoven lines without a beginning or an end. The eternal knot symbolizes the continuous interplay of mutually dependent or sometimes opposing entities, ultimately resulting in a complete and harmonious union. For example, the knot stands for the inseparability of the methods of skillful means and wisdom; or the unbreakable bond between emptiness and dependent origination. Also, the eternal knot represents the unity of great compassion and wisdom of Buddha’s enlightened mind, or the unfailing correlation between cause and effect, birth and death. The unsurpassable balance created by the interaction of these concepts is exemplified by the symmetrical and perfectly aligned shape of the eternal knot. One of the most beloved Tibetan Buddhist symbols, the knot is often used as a motif on door curtains, jewelry, greeting cards, traditional handicrafts, and ceremonial scarfs.
