Reef knot Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Reef knot

Names	Reef knot, Square knot, Hercules knot, Double knot,brother hood knot
Category	Binding
Origin	Ancient
Related	Thief knot, Granny knot, Grief knot, Surgeon's knot, Shoelace knot
Releasing	Jamming
Typical use	Joining two ends of a single line to bind around an object.
Caveat	Not secure as a bend. Spills easily if one of the free ends is pulled outward. Does not hold well if the two lines are not the same thickness.
ABoK	#74, #75, #460, #1204, #1402, #2096, #2573, #2574, #2577, #2580
Instructions	[1]

The reef knot, also known as the square knot, is a very old and simple way to tie a rope or line around something. It's sometimes called the Hercules knot. You make it by tying one simple knot (an overhand knot) and then another one on top, but in the opposite direction. A good way to remember how to tie it is: "right over left; left over right." This helps make a neat and strong knot. If you tie two simple knots the same way, you'll get a granny knot instead, which isn't as good.

The reef knot is not the best choice for joining two ropes together. This is because it can come undone easily, especially if the ropes are not the same thickness or if they are pulled in certain ways. Because of this, it's important to use the right knot for the job, especially when safety is important.

What the Reef Knot is Used For
Related Pages
Images for kids
See also

What the Reef Knot is Used For

The reef knot is great for tying the ends of a single rope together. It helps to secure things that won't move around much. For example, you can use it to tie up a bundle of items.

In Sailing and Crafts

Sailors use the reef knot to tie up sails when they are not being used. This is called reefing or furling sails. It's also a very important knot in macrame, which is a type of textile art made by knotting cords.

In Medicine and History

This knot lies flat when made with cloth. Because of this, people have used it for thousands of years to tie bandages. The ancient Greeks knew this knot as the Hercules knot. It is still used a lot in medicine today. An ancient writer named Pliny even wrote that people believed wounds would heal faster when tied with a Hercules knot.

For Belts and Shoelaces

Since ancient times, people have used the reef knot to tie belts and sashes. Today, you might see it used to tie the obi (or belt) of a martial arts uniform, like a keikogi.

You can also use a special version of the reef knot to tie your shoelaces. If you tuck the ends in, it makes a quick-release knot. The regular version is good for shoelaces that are too short. It's also useful for tying plastic garbage bags, as the knot forms a handle.

In Scouting

The reef knot is very important in Scouting all over the world. It is part of the international membership badge. Many Scouting awards also feature it. In the Boy Scouts of America, learning to tie the square knot correctly is a requirement for joining the program. In Pioneering (Scouting), it helps finish off special lashing (ropework) and whipping knots. However, remember it's not strong enough to hold heavy weight.

Surgeon's Knot Variation

A special version called the surgeon's variation is used when you don't have an extra hand to help. It's made with two or three twists of the ropes instead of just one.

List of knots

Images for kids

The reef knot can come undone if one of the free ends is pulled outward.
A statue from Ancient Egypt (2350 BC) showing a reef knot on a belt.
Ancient Greek jewelry from Pontika (now in Russia), 300 BC, shaped like a reef knot.
A reef knot that can be easily untied by pulling one end.
A weight for weighing gold dust, shaped like a knot.