China

The Chinese developed a elaborated art of knotting which became popular in the Tang and Song Dynasty, however the concept of knotting as “button” did not appear until the Ming Dynasty, before that clothing were held together simply by tying up two strapes.  Apart from knot buttons other type of buttons appears e.g. copper, silver, pearl, agate, etc., apart from being functional, they also became a status accessory.   Knotting for buttons developed into several forms,some more elaborated than others, the knotting diagram shown above is for a basic design.