File:Alexander_cuts_the_Gordian_Knot.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons
Gordian knot
Sign in to saveknot in Greek mythology, used as a metaphor for difficult problems with little or no solution
The Gordian knot is a knot from Greek mythology that has become a famous metaphor for a problem that seems impossible to solve or untangle. It's used today to describe situations where straightforward approaches won't work and creative or bold action may be needed to cut through the difficulty.
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Wikidata facts
- Part of
- Greek mythology
- Named after
- Gordias
- Image
- Yugo y nudo gordiano cortado unido a Tanto Monta emblema de Fernando el Católico.jpg
Show 2 more facts
- Commons category
- Gordian Knot
- significant person
- Alexander the Great
Sources (2)
via Wikidata · CC0
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Encyclopedic overview
Alexander the Great cuts the Gordian Knot by Jean-Simon Berthélemy (1743–1811) Alexander the Great Cutting the Gordian Knot (1767) by Jean-François Godefroy Alexander the Great Cutting the Gordian Knot by André Castaigne (1898–1899)
The cutting of the Gordian Knot is an Ancient Greek legend associated with Alexander the Great in Gordium in Phrygia, regarding a complex knot that tied an oxcart. Reputedly, whoever could untie it would be destined to rule all of Asia. In 333 BC, Alexander was challenged to untie the knot. Instead of untangling it laboriously as everyone expected, he dramatically cut through it with his sword. This is used as a metaphor for inventing an unexpected method to solve a seemingly intractable problem.
Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Gordian knot” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.