Buddhism's Knotted Thread (結縷法)

The Buddhist "Knotted Thread" originates from the ancient Indian practice of venerating sacred threads. In Indian culture, sacred threads symbolize identity and status and possess functions such as exorcism, healing, disaster prevention, blessing, protection, and divination. Initially, Buddhism opposed the use of sacred threads by its followers. However, as Buddhism evolved, it began to adopt this and other practices. Buddhist threads could be monochromatic or multicolored, with five-colored threads (五色縷) having significant cultural connections to China. In Buddhism, the five colors typically consist of four primary colors (四本色; blue, yellow, red, and white) plus an additional color. The difference between the Buddhist and traditional Chinese five colors lies in the selection of the fifth color. The five-colored threads in Buddhism have various combinations, such as blue, yellow, red, white, and black; blue, yellow, red, white, and purple; and blue, yellow, red, white and green. With Buddhism's spread into China, to align with traditional Chinese notions of five colors, the Buddhist five-colored threads gradually standardized to blue, yellow, red, white, and black. The evolution of the Buddhist five-colored threads reflects the cultural exchange between India and China

Ancient history · Biology · Buddhism · Theology · Chinese history and philosophy · Computer Science · Eurasian Exchange Networks · History · Indian and Buddhist Studies · Philosophy

• The evolution of Buddhist views on divination

  Yang Gang•Chinese Studies in History•2023

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• The Golden Peaches of Samarkand

  Edward H Schafer•Golden Peaches of Samarkand•1963

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• The Impact of Buddhism on Chinese Material Culture

  John Kieschnick•Impact of Buddhism on Chinese…•2003

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• Japanese Buddhist Astrology and Astral Magic

  Open Access•Jeffrey Kotyk•Japanese Journal of Religious…•2018

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• Sino-Iranica; Chinese contributions to the history of civilization in ancient Iran, with special reference to the history of cultivated plants and products

  Berthold Laufer•Publication - Field Museum of…•1919

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• Knots and Knot Lore

  Open Access•Cyrus L Day•Western Folklore•1950

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• The significance of the right hand and the right side in vedic ritual

  J Gonda•Religion•1972

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