On the eve of the Dragon Boat Festival, the emperor would personally award longevity threads to the ministers for them to put on during the festival. Called "bead knot" or "colorful thread knot" in the Song Dynasty, they were more complex because the maker added a pearl and other things to the accouterment apart from the colorful threads. At that time, a lot of shopkeepers made a living by selling such accouterments in Beijing .

The custom changed during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), as there were few adults adorning themselves with the ornament and it was regarded as an ornament mainly to be worn by children who were one year old. Gradually, the longevity thread developed into the longevity lock.

The early longevity lock was mostly made of silver into the shape of Yuanbao (shoe-shaped gold or silver ingot used as money in feudal society) which was used to symbolize wealth and honor. There were also longevity locks in the shape of circular bucket, arris and fire-cracker, etc, with inscriptions of Chinese characters on the front side, such as "Chang Ming Fu Gui (longevity, fortune and honour)" and "Chang Ming Bai Sui (long life of 100 years)". On the back side, pictures of Kylin (Chinese unicorn), or characters of "Long (dragon)", "Hu (tiger )" and "Shou (longevity)" are sometimes carved on the back. These calligraphic inscriptions, with their infinite lasting appeal, is simple, beautiful, and smooth while the pictures, which includes the freehand brushwork and fine brushwork, is exquisite and ingenious.

The ropes, which are used to hang the lock, can be as simple as a red ribbon or as complex as a golden or silver chain or a bunch of pearls or precious stones. Children wearing The longevity locks which stand for good luck and longevity are believed to be able to bring good luck, longevity and a bright future to the children who wear them.