Chinese Knot Art Spring Decoration

A traditional Chinese Folk Knot Art Decoration. The folk handicraft is often used as home decor and symbolizes good luck and prosperity. Originating nearly 2,000 years ago, Chinese knotting is an important part of Chinese culture with each intricate knot woven from a single piece of thread and named according to its shape and meaning. They are popular as decorations for the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) and are believed to ward off negative energy. The red color on one side of the paper cutting art designs (jianzhi) is associated with happiness and good luck in Chinese culture. The opposite side in black represents an ancient ritual vessel known as a ding. These tripod cauldrons were used for offerings of food to ancestral spirits during the Shang and Zhou dynasties and were symbols of political power and status. The decoration measures over 2 feet in length and over 8" in width. It is enclosed in its original box.