Decorative knot-work or maedeup has a long tradition in Korea.

Inspired by Chinese knot-work , a wall painting found in Anak , Hwanghae Province , now in north Korea, dated 357 AD, indicates that the work was flourishing in silk at that time. Decorative cording was used on silk dresses, to ornament swords, to hang personal items from belts for the aristocracy, in rituals, where it continues now in contemporary wedding ceremonies.

Knot-work is differentiated from Korean embroidery which is quite different.

Definitions of knot work

Historically knot-work divided into cords and knots.

A certain number of craftsmen were stationed in the court and outside the court to produce cords and knots in order to meet the increasing demand for them at various places of the court. They worked only on those days fixed for work and on other days they did their own. Cord, knot and tassels were made singly and used in combination.

The Bong Sool tassel is noteworthy, and the most representative work familiar to westerners, and often bought as souveniers for macrame-style wall-hangings.

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