The
bowline ( or ) is an ancient and simple
knot used to form a fixed loop at the end of a rope. It has the virtues of being both easy to tie and untie; most notably, it is easy to untie after being subjected to a load. The bowline is sometimes referred as
King of the knots because of its importance. It is one of the four basic maritime knots (the other three are
figure-eight knot,
reef knot and
clove hitch).