True Knot in Umbilical Cord: The Spiritual Meaning and Significance of This Rare Sign

This article may contain affiliate links, learn more.

Childbirth, though an incredibly common occurrence that takes place thousands of times every day, is still a miracle. Being able to bring life into the world and continue a family line is nothing short of amazing. It's also extremely complex, taking a multitude of systems and bodily processes to achieve, not to mention the time involved.

With so much at play, it's also not uncommon for things to go a little differently than usually expected. One example of a strange happening that carries a surprising amount of significance is there being a knot in the umbilical cord that connects the baby to its mother.

Tying Knots

A clean knot in a cable.
Canva Pro
Canva Pro

A knot in the umbilical cord, also known as a 'true knot,' is a rare phenomenon, but it does happen from time to time. Often it's harmless as it's usually not discovered until after the baby is born healthy, but sometimes it can be extremely tight and cause problems during the pregnancy.

It's also a phenomenon that has been witnessed and recorded for centuries now. Ancient cultures attributed many spiritual meanings to discovering a knot in the umbilical cord, meanings some people still believe today as a sort of spiritual association.

These medical anomalies can be seen through a new lens using these beliefs and connections.

ADVERTISEMENT

1. An Emotional Child

ADVERTISEMENT
A nurse moving the clip a newborn baby's umbillical cord.
Canva Pro
Canva Pro
ADVERTISEMENT

One long-held belief is that babies born with a true knot in their umbilical cord will grow to become very emotional children, ones that are ruled by their hearts over their heads.

ADVERTISEMENT

The umbilical cord is the physical connection between a mother and her baby, so deviance or abnormalities within that connection is believed to leave the child with some heightened or unbalanced aspects of themselves.

That doesn't necessarily mean anything bad, they're not doomed to a life of sorrow, they'll just feel higher highs and lower lows, something to note while raising them.;

ADVERTISEMENT

2. Bringer Of Good Luck

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
A downward shot angle of a pregnant woman's stomach.
Canva Pro
Canva Pro
ADVERTISEMENT

True knots in umbilical cords are also believed to be signs of good luck, or a symbol that the child born with the true knot will bring good luck to their family.

ADVERTISEMENT

Given that it's such a rare event, and one that is potentially fatal for some babies, seeing a healthy child be born with a knot present is believed to be fortunate enough on its own. This child is then seen as a miracle and general bringer of good luck.

ADVERTISEMENT

3. A Messenger For The Universe

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
A clear view of a baby in al ultrasound.
Canva Pro
Canva Pro
ADVERTISEMENT

In many cultures throughout history, birth has been revered as a divine, spiritual event, though it happens every day. The creation of life has long since been thought of as something sacred.

ADVERTISEMENT

Because of this, there are plenty of beliefs that tie childbirth to the divine, believing spiritual messages could be delivered through the act of giving birth. This is where the idea that a true knot is a divine indicator comes from, either seen as a positive message from the universe or denoting that the child has a link to the divine in some fashion.

ADVERTISEMENT

4. Spiritual Protection

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
A nurse cutting a baby's umbillical cord.
Canva Pro
Canva Pro
ADVERTISEMENT

To be pregnant for months on end and give birth to a child is an extremely vulnerable period, anyone who's ever done it can surely attest. It's a fragile time both physically and emotionally, as not only can smaller accidents have more dire consequences than normal, but precarious and reactive feelings are extremely common.

ADVERTISEMENT

In ancient cultures, certain signs would be taken as proof that the mother and/or baby were being protected during this vulnerable time, with the true knot being one of those signs. If there was a knot present, it was believed that that child was being protected from harm by divine forces.

ADVERTISEMENT

5. Past Life Connection

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
A woman laying on her couch, holding her pregnant stomach.
Canva Pro
Canva Pro
ADVERTISEMENT

There were also some beliefs that stated that a true knot in the umbilical cord could indicate a past life connection between the child and whatever life they held before.

ADVERTISEMENT

Of course, this is more tied to reincarnation beliefs, wherein people think a human soul has lived many lives before it arrived in its present body. The knot was seen as a sign left from one of the baby's past lives, potentially signaling that they might be able to sense or be in tune with their soul's history.

ADVERTISEMENT

True Knots In Different Religions

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
A mother kissing her young baby as they both lay down.
Canva Pro
Canva Pro
ADVERTISEMENT

Different religions have different meanings for what a true knot in the umbilical cord can mean.

ADVERTISEMENT

Hinduism: Hindus believe the true knot is a good omen for the child, one that indicates a strong, unbreaking bond between them and their family. It's also seen as good luck and a symbol of protection.

Christianity: For some Christian traditions, the true knot is seen as a symbol of the Holy Trinity, meaning the child is divinely protected and blessed.

Judaism: Jewish culture sees the true knot as a sign of good luck and strong connection between the child and its family's ancestry, as well as being a sign of blessings and protection.

ADVERTISEMENT

True Knots In Different Cultures

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
A mom cleaning her baby, who has a clip on their umbillical cord.
Canva Pro
Canva Pro
ADVERTISEMENT

Different cultures and their specific folklore also have differing meanings for true knots.

ADVERTISEMENT

Chinese Culture: Chinese culture sees the true knot as a sign that the child will have long-lasting, peaceful, and strong connections to their family, a bond that will never be broken.

African Cultures: Some African cultures saw a true knot as a symbol of protection and strong community ties. It was also believed to bring good luck and prosperity to that child's life.

Traditional Celtic Beliefs: Some Celtic traditions saw the true knot as a representation of the cycle of life and death. It was believed the child would be protected throughout their journey in this life.

ADVERTISEMENT

A Healthy Baby

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
A wpman in a white dress holding her pregnant stomach, her husband doing the same from behind her.
Canva Pro
Canva Pro
ADVERTISEMENT

So long as the true knot didn't cause any health issues, you're free to look at it however you choose. Maybe you consider it a blessing, a connection to one's family, a connection to a higher power, or you just see it as a unique medical happening and nothing more.

ADVERTISEMENT

What matters most, especially during pregnancy, is that everyone is happy, healthy, and sane in the long run, so take these meanings as you will and focus on the miracle that is creating a human life.

Signs and symbols from the universe exist all around us if we're able to open our eyes and minds to them. One of the classic and most studied versions of those symbols is that of numerology, finding messages in the numbers we see every day.

Learning how numerology affects you is as easy as starting with your date of birth. Click here to see what the universe's numerical patterns say about you, and what they say about your future.