Introduction
A wind chime which is also called a wind bell is a musical instrument that refines the sound of wind and converts it into soothing lyrical ear calming voices. It is used as decoration equipment in homes, working, or social places such as restaurants, and cafes. A wind chime is made up of three major elements.
Its first element is a clump of identical objects hanging on central support such as glass pieces, seashells, metal tubes, slivers of pottery, or lengths of bamboo on which the wind strikes and produces a tinkling sound. The second element is the clapper containing a group of objects. Whenever the wind blows against the wind catcher or a flat plate, these clappers acquire a cluster of objects chimes.
The last and most soothing important element of a wind chime is a bell that rings as the clapper are stricken by the wind. That’s what a whole wind chime looks like. In this article, we will introduce you to the origin, purpose, functions, and manufacturing processes of a wind chime.
Origin of Wind Chime
The wind chime is not created in one night. It has evolved from the discoveries of many cultures of historic times. In 3000 b.c, the bell was created in Southeast Asia at one of the archaeological sites. As time passed by, the Egyptians started creating bells on their own near the shores of the Mediterranean sea in 2000 b.c. These civilizations of Asia then performed continuous refinements and brought the concept of a wind chime. In 1100 b.c, Chinese finally developed a wind bell by casting several bells and they called it Feng-ling.
Buddhists used to hang the ringing bells in caves, temples, pagodas, and shrines in the evening. It was a belief that these bells drive away evil souls with wind and bring in positive energy. Soon after in China, Bali, Tibet, and Japan, these bells were introduced as religious paraphernalia.
Bali used wind chimes in agricultural fields to protect their crops by startling animals and birds through its voice. They created wind chimes by using long bamboo. The 19th century also observed lyrical bells used as an instrument in orchestras. Now wind chimes have been more refined both in sound-producing quality and appearance. As a result of which, its applications have increased considerably in the western world.
Design
The wind chimes are now available in plenty of designs. The largest clock tohashave bells and tubes suspended are 1cm(58 inches). Mini wind chimes having a size slightly equal to a palm are also created with a minimum of three pipes. The other kinds of design include chimes hanging on plant stakes, magnets, and ornaments. The design is always created keeping the durability factor in mind. A wind chime should be bearable against cold, extreme temperatures, and harsh weather conditions.
Raw Materials Used
The raw materials used in creating wind chime includes:
- Wood pieces for wind catchers and support
- Metal tubes and pipes made of aluminium
- Hanging ring for chime
- Nylon strings, nails, and metal fasteners for stitching
- Bamboo, copper, bronze, or brass tubes.
- Tinkling objects such as glass, metal pieces, clay pottery shapes, or shells
- Resin ornaments, metal shapes, string, glues, paints, and driftwood for decoration
Functions of Wind Chime
Wind chimes are used for decorations and as an instrument of wind. The varying lengths of tubes clustered at the clapper and bump into one another as the wind blows. The tubes produce a vibrating sound whose intensity differs from chime to chime. It is greater for bigger chimes and less for smaller ones. The wind chimes containing glass and seashells produce a specific sound of a particular note. Traditionally, it was believed that chimes swipe off the evil spirit. Wind chimes are also known to bring positive energy inside.
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The wind chimes act as a source of decoration and enhance the beauty of your rooms and cafeterias. It also pleases your ears with its soothing voice. Moreover, it is known to bring in positive vibes and take away negative energies. In Asian parts of the world, the wind chime signifies good luck. It has become decoration equipment only after 1100 B.C. when the Chinese started creating such chimes. Till then, these wind chimes were used by monks and ancestors to keep away negative vibes. Earlier, in China, the Feng-ling bells were used in religious ceremonies without a clapper. This is how the concept of wind emerged in China which modernized the chimes industry and continued till now. There are two types of wind chimes. The one is tubular chimes in which copper, bronze, or bamboo tubes are used as the principal manufacturing elements. The second is the bell chimes in which a bell is placed in between to produce sound. Buddhists used wind chimes for religious purposes. They used to hang the ringing bells in caves, temples, pagodas, and shrines in the evening. Vegetables Names FAQs
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