I noticed that the Chinese, the Celts/Germans, and the Muslims are the only cultures that would use these interlacing ribbon-like knots as a predominant feature in architecture, printing, and fabrics, with only very minor differences in style and artistic choices. Was there some kind of common culture "seed" that would have caused this to happen?
J.C. Cooper, in her Encyclopaedia of Traditional Symbols, has this to say about knots: "An ambivalent symbolism since all powers of binding also imply those of loosing, of restraining but also uniting; the harder it is pulled the firmer it becomes and the greater the union. Knots also represent continuity; connection; a covenant; a link; Fate; that which binds man to his destiny; determinism; the inescapable. Knots can also be the instruments of the enchantress, magician or witch, in which case the tying of knots is the power and weaving of spells; other knots can be apotropaic.
Loosening knots is freedom; salvation; the solving of problems. Cutting a knot denotes the taking of the taking of the short, steep path to salvation and realization.
Buddhist: The Mystic Knot is one of the Eight Auspicious Signs and represents continuity of life; infinity and eternity.
Chinese: Longevity; binding the good and an obstacle to evil.
Christian: The three knots in the monastic girdle are the three vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
Hindu: The Mystic Knot of Vishnu depicts continuity; immortality; infinity.
Iranian: The sacred cord, kosti, is knotted twice in front and twice behind.
Witchcraft: Obstruction; "hitches"; ill-wishing".
I suspect the Celtic and Norse and Maori knots express similar ideas, ideas about the inter-connectedness of things.
You might want to ask this question over at r/AskAnthropology and see if anyone over there has any insights.