Gongs date back to the Bronze Age, about 3500 BC and were
found primarily in Mesopotamia , Burma ,
China , Java and
Annam . Since
the time of Buddha in 600BC all sacred Chinese gongs have been inscribed with
‘Tai Loi’ meaning ‘happiness has arrived’.
Rumor has it that ancient sacred
gongs included pieces of meteorites that fell from the heavens, ‘sweeping the
darkness by bringing in the light’. Some of the ancient uses for the gong
include meditation, healing, initiation, communication, and ceremonies including
the exorcism of negative spirits. In 1790 gongs were used in European
orchestras for the first time where they remain today. The gong is an
idiophone, ie. It resonates with the whole of its’ being, producing many
harmonics from its’ fundamental tuned note. When played it produces the
primordial and original sound ‘Om ’, which is an
extremely powerful and healing to the human ear. Essentially it ‘is’ what ‘it
does’.
(With thanks to Red doors studio.)
(With thanks to Red doors studio.)