The earliest Zhong Yuan refers to the traditional percussion instrument of ancient Han nationality, which is flat and hollow. It flourished in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period until the Qin and Han Dynasties, and was mostly made of bronze, also known as chimes. Since Buddhism was introduced into China, it has gradually become synonymous with a religious musical instrument, also known as Brahma Bell or Half Bell. Originally, it was called "Miao Zi" and "Heart Drum", which was used to tell time and belief drums in temples.
Ancient Han percussion instruments in China. It prevailed in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period until the Qin and Han Dynasties, which was inseparable from the highly developed music, acoustics and bronze smelting and casting technology at that time. Because the bronze bell is strong and corrosion-resistant, although it has been two or three thousand years, it can still leave us with ancient real sounds.
In ancient times, the clock was not only a musical instrument, but also a ritual vessel symbolizing status and power. Princes and nobles widely use bell music in various ceremonies, banquets and daily Yan music, such as courtship and sacrifice.
Zhong is one of the "drumsticks" of Buddhism. It was originally used only for gathering people, so it was also called "letter drum". Before the "bell" appeared in India, most people knocked on wooden horns to gather people.
The clock is also a tool for telling time. There were originally only two kinds of "bells": "numerous bells" and "half bells". Brahma Bell is the so-called "big clock", also known as "fishing (hanging) bell, knocking bell, Hong Zhong, whale bell" and so on. The volume of "half clock" is only half the height of "Brahma Bell", so it is called "half clock".
The size of the clock has its own standards. According to Volume 28 of Guang Hong Ming Ji, the ancient "Fan Zhong" used 10,000 Jin of copper for the "Zhong" of Ximing Temple (built in Xi 'an, Shaanxi). The clock of Fangguang Temple in Kyoto, Japan is 10 foot high, 9 feet 2 inches in diameter, 9 inches 2 minutes thick and weighs 22,000 penetration (always 3.75 kg). The ordinary Brahma clock is about 4.5 feet high and 2 feet in diameter. I wonder if the size on it is the size of China today. )