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A double loop knot which is tied in the bight when the two ends are fixed or inaccessible. The strain should come equally on both standing parts. A good rescue or chair knot.

The Running Bowline

Like any loop, the bowline can be made into what is known as a running loop shown below, which causes the loop to act as the sliding part of a noose.  This can be done in three different ways.  You can tie the loop around the standing part of the rope, or you can run the other end of the rope through the loop and pull until you get the running loop down to size, or lastly, you can pull a bight of rope from the standing part of the rope through the loop, and then carefully work the torsion out of the original loop.

The Water Bowline

This is a very secure loop probably developed for use in an environment that make security properties for most knots change dramatically... underwater.  Although shown separated for clarity, draw the two half-hitches snug together before using.

Some theorize that its form also prevents jamming in wet line.

If you're going to use it, please don't tie it the landlubber's way!  Learn to form the signature bowline loops (half-hitches) by twisting the end of the line over, under and upward around the standing part, in one quick motion to force the half hitch to form in the standing part..  Practice this with a simple bowline before moving on to the water bowline.  Not only is this a quicker method, it also greatly reduces the odds of you tying the knot incorrectly.