A Brief History of
Wind Chimes
Wind chimes have a
long and varied history. As one of the
world's first musical instruments, wind chimes have long been known for their
soothing, meditative and sometimes earthly sounds. As a result of their unique sound, wind
chimes have served as a way of shaping the ambience of natural settings.
The wind chime can trace
back almost 5000 years. The first
evidence of wind chimes, found at archaeological sites in South East Asia, dates
them to about 3000 B.C. Primitive
constructions of bone, wood or bamboo, stone or shells, the earliest wind
chimes were used to ward off evil spirits.
By 2000 B.C. the wind chime had been developed independently along the
shores of the Mediterranean and was being cast in bronze by the ancient
Egyptians.
It wasn't until
around 1100 B.C., when the Chinese started casting bells, that the wind chime
found its more modern, musical and artistic evolution. Highly skilled metal workers created the
forefather of the wind chime, a clapper-less bell called yong-zhong, which was
used as an accompaniment for religious ceremonies. After that the Chinese developed what is
essentially the modern wind bell, called the feng-ling. This they hung from the eaves of shrines,
temples, pagodas and in caves as wind bells are considered religious talismans,
to repel evil demons and ghosts and attract benevolent spirits. This practise was adopted in the secular
world and wind chimes became common adornments in the home as a way to protect
against spiteful supernatural influences.
The use of wind
chimes in the home spread from China to Japan and from there to the western
world in the 1800's when Asian art, design and philosophy started to show a
distinct influence in Europe and America.
The practise of feng-shui helped to spread the knowledge of a wind
chimes calming and balancing influence in the home. An ancient system of using arrangement
maximize the flow of life energy, or Chi, feng-shui often uses wind chimes as a
means of shaping an environment and influencing chi. The tones and materials of a particular wind
chime can affect energy and change the mood and feeling of a living space.
From uses in pagodas
to ward off evil spirits to their employ by ancient Celtic tribes as a means of
tricking their enemies into thinking the woods were haunted, the wind chime has
had long and diverse role throughout history.
In its modern incarnation the wind chime is a wonderful accent to any
home or garden. The soothing tones echo
the music of the breeze and bring a relaxed, meditative feeling to an
environment; creating a place of peace and balance.
